Help getting kids 2 eat needed 4 stepmom

[comusher]

I married a man with a 6 & 8 year old and I really struggle getting these kids to eat and it is only getting worse. My hubby says they used to eat anything and he is surpised too.

I have tried all the usual kid friendly foods like mac'n'cheese and chicken nuggets but they only want to go out to eat (for nuggets none the less) or have chips. Even my husband does not want them to do this.

I feel like all we do is argue with them when they are here on their weekends just to get them to eat. What can I do?

[lou]

stop arguing. the kids will not starve themselves. make a meal, if they don't want to eat it, fine. put it in the fridge and later when they are ready to eat something heat it up. do not give them snacks and chips etc if they don't eat their meals.... they eat only what you make. eventually they will eat it. also offer them things you know they will like and make healthier versions of it. wheat germ is a staple in our house. you can put it on everything to give it a nutritional boost. you can use it as a coating for chicken nuggets.
there's no reason to argue with them over it. it stressed you and them. they likely are looking to gain more control and autonomy and what they will and will not eat is a battle they've so far been winning. give them some choices in what they eat. "would you like carrots or greenbeans?" for instance and let them choose a dinner every so often and let them help you cook it, kids tend to want to eat more if they help make it.but I would absolutely make sure they eat their meal. don't fight, don't force, just wait. when they get hungry they will eat.