How strict are you with wasting food?

[pishajane]

DD (3.5) is always asking for a particular food, then after i've prepared it, refuses to eat it. She generally asks for something else pretty soon after.

Now, i'm ok with the odd bit of food that maybe gets tasted and rejected, but she doesn't even try it, and it's really frustrating me. How strict should i be with making her eat at least some of the thing she's asked for? Is she able to understand the concept yet, or am i expecting too much?

[LynnS6]

I'd say I'm moderately lenient. If my child asks for something and then doesn't eat it for whatever reason, oh well. I struggle with weight issues and I'm REALLY trying to teach my kids to listen to their bodies. I don't want them to eat something just because it's there. Ditto with dinner. I asked them to take a little of each food group, but they eat what they eat.

On the other hand, a child who asks for something that I know they like, gets it and then turns up their nose at it would be not be given something new upon request. They'd get re-offered that same food or asked to wait until the next meal time. I'm not a short order cook. If they're hungry, they can eat carrots from the fridge. Even at 3 1/2, I think they can get that.