Charles and Jim Fay wrote a great book titled, Love and Logic Magic:  When Your Kids Leave You Speechless.  They have a chapter on dealing with children who are picky eaters and complain about the food.

Myth #1:  If I don't make my kids eat their food, they'll starve to death.  This is never going to happen.  For you parents out there--take heed!  Your children use food as a battleground and you will never win and have control if you force them to eat.  I can think of more important battles for you.

So what do you do when the child refuses to eat what you have prepared?  Simply let it go, telling the child something like, "That's ok with me.  Your next time for eating will be at breakfast tomorrow (assuming this is the dinner meal).  Thank you for making that choice."  This way, the responsibility is placed ...   more »