I'm trying to take an approach like lee bee's. I've never really had picky eaters but I have one now who really only likes fruit, crackers, bread, cheese and yogurt. She used to eat Mac and cheese but hasn't in a few weeks now. I find she goes through phases...one week she ate ham and sausage and I thought "yay!!" But than the next week she went back to eating no meat!! This week has been good, she's ate spaghetti with hamburger and sauce, tomato/mushroom/cheese omelette and roast beef and rice!!! That is AMAZING for her. I'm sure next week will be a no eating one lol. I just give it to her and if she eats or not, I try not to care. I take away her plate and she gets dessert when the others do (fruit). I hate putting her down for nap when she's probably hungry but I try not to worry anymore...she always eat snack so it's not like she's starving for long. I don't use food as rewards or consequences.

At home they have 2 older girls (preteen and teen) and I know they don't make her a special meal. When I asked dad what food she'll eat he said "feed her what you give the others. If she doesn't eat, that's on her." He said they don't have time for that nonsense and they don't worry about it lol. I know mom does try a bit harder than dad but I know she isn't eating (much) junk at home.

I have a 3.5 year old who was sorta a picky eater and still goes through phases. She's come a long way and will try every food I give her but if she says she doesn't like it, I don't push her. I used to say "take one more bite" and than she'd puke, dad said he noticed she did that at home too so now we've both stopped. She knows when she doesn't like something and that's fine!! I was tired of cleaning up puke at the lunch table!!! She eats much better when just left alone (I think for her, some of it's texture issues)

Have you tried cooking the carrots? Might be quicker to eat lol