OT- 3yo son eating issues!

[KTowne]

My 3 year old lately has been the WORST eater ever at dinner time. The past 2 nights I've made a roast, then tonight manicotti, he's had the roast before and ate it fine, the manicotti tonight was new to him. Last night he gagged after a couple seconds of chewing his 3rd or 4th bite, like he didn't like it, and I had him spit it out, he wouldn't eat anymore. Tonight the second the food hit his mouth he was gagging, but after telling me he didn't want it. He's not pretend gagging, he's gagging like he can't get it down without throwing up (and DH and I were eating it, it tasted fine to us, he must just not have liked it.) He gagged a few weeks ago on broccoli, but I assumed he's a kid and didn't like the texture. He really only likes corn for vegetables. I don't know what to do, I can't tell if it's the texture that he doesn't like or what, because he's eaten roast before and liked it, he likes most italian foods, but he'll never eat more than a few bites. I can't tell if he's just a picky eater, or going through a phase, but I can't find any foods he really likes,  besides like steak cut up into chunks, or a chicken breast cut into chunks. I was raised with one meal, and DH feels the same, we don't want to have to make a separate meal for our 3 year old, and we want him to try things, but I'm not going to let him gag through eating something either! Does anyone else have this issue? Any way to help it?!

[KTowne]

I really don't want to make 2 separate meals, because that's exactly it, he'll be eating a bunch of junk! I think it may be textures, I'm not sure! It's everything lately though, it's terrible trying to get him to eat anything but breakfast, he's so picky lately it's frustrating! I don't want him to go without eating, but I'm not going to give him junk just because he'll eat it! Ugh, I think a talk with his pediatrician is in order!

[K_Bmomma]

Ohhh my son does that too! He's always been kinda sensative to textures. But he could be half way through his meal then all of a sudden start gaggibg on it. Its frustrating because I know he likes it and has eaten half already! But like you I can't make him while gagging. Not sure if its just a phase or what... But thought I'd let you know your not alone lol

[laceylace_2004]

My son tried that when he was 2 years old. I didn't give in to him. He learned real quick to eat what i cooked for supper and to eat when we ate. I know several women who fixes two meals to pacify their kids. If it was up to my son (who is now 3), all he would eat is butterbeans, corn, and mac and cheese.