What are you eating htat he can't have? Is it not appropriate because it is junk food or just "adult" food. My daughter was eating slabs of steak at 8months of age. I don't believe there is any difference between toddler food and adult food. My daughter (and DGC) eat spicy food, they eat what I eat. So if you are just concerned he isn't 'old' enough for your food i'd just give him a bit to keep him quiet (no need for extra drama). Maybe it is spicy and he doesn't like it...he'll learn to stop asking!

As for naps. You need to decide if all your effort is worth it. Sounds like you are putting in more hours of getting him to sleep than he is sleeping. Which is NOT acceptable in daycare! If all the rocking isn't working STOP rocking. Put him in a playpen and walk away. He will learn soon enough. Put him as far from the other kids as you can. Stop engaging him. The other kids will learn soon enough to tune him out. HE will learn soon enough to stop screaming when he isn't held. By rocking him to sleep and placing him down without him waking you are freaking him out when he wakes alone. Kids to not like change...if a child falls asleep in your arms and awakes a while later in a different place (not in your arms) they get scared and pissed and scream. I would wake up screaming if I fell asleep in my bed and woke awhile later in a different spot! I wouldn't know what the heck happen to put me there.