Sometimes a particular dish will be rejected at home but readily accepted elsewhere and vice versa. Children's food preferences fluctuate and are frequently influenced by those of their peers. But as long as the food offered is nutritious, there is no reason not to expect even a picky eater either to eat it or abstain until the next meal. No child will suffer much by skipping a few meals. Binges are also characteristic.
Children seem to want to eat exactly the same food at every meal for what seems to be a long time.
As long as the food is reasonably nutritious and accompanied by milk, juice, or another nutritious drink, no harmful consequences are likely to follow. It takes time for children to pick up the details and habits of good table manners. If they start to play with food, building castles out of mashed potatoes, simply remove it with a straightforward comment about what food is for. Preparation, consumption, and attitudes toward food are central parts of all cultures. These things are learned gradually and should be strongly associated with pleasant family contacts rather than great anxiety over impending starvation.