My food philosophy.

I've mentioned that I have 4 children. 4 rather small children: 9, 8, 8, and 4. With that number of children, cooking a meal that ALL of them like is a challenge. I'm not alone. I hear other mother's talk about the lengths they go to get their children to eat vegetables/fruit/meat/ whatever. They plead, they bribe, they make bargains, they threaten, they put their foot down.
I refuse to make an issue out of food. I did in the past. When my oldest was a toddler, he went on a fruit/vegetable fast. Refused to eat any type of fruit or veggie. As a first time mother, I was frantic. I tried everything. After ending up in my in-laws bedroom, trying to force a hysterical 2 y/o to eat carrots (which he then gagged up), I thought, What am I doing? What is the purpose of this? Why am I putting him (and myself) through this?
So I stopped. I kept offering him fruits and veggies, putting them on his plate at every meal. I made sure he took a multivitamin. This went on for a year. Yes, a year. Then one day, he ate the broccoli I put on his plate. And he wanted more. And more. And more.

We have rules, though. I will NOT make 2 different dinners. I make a main protein, a side (rice, noodles, potatoes), and at least one hot veggie. Then I put out salad, and raw veggies - broccoli, carrots, celery, and sometimes fruit. They have to have at least one. This makes no extra work for me, and gives them a choice. Voila! Veggie problem solved. We do ask them to try a different veggie now and again. And I'll often make an additional veggie if I know they don't like the one I'm making (all 4 hate green beans in any shape, form, or container - always have).
My oldest and youngest don't like red meat. In fact, my youngest doesn't care for meat much at all. That's ok. I don't make red meat often.
We eat fish quite often, since we usually catch and freeze a lot in the summer. Eldest likes fish. Youngest not so much.
Another rule is that they are not FORCED to eat anything. But if they don't, there are consequences. If they don't eat some protein, no seconds on anything else. Same with veggies. If they choose not to eat at all, no dessert, and no snack. If they are hungry later, they can heat up some dinner, or have fruits or veggies (always allowed).
There are times when I will make an alternative protein available, if I'm making something I KNOW they all don't like. Usually, though, it's a twist on the same protein. I made curry one night, but served the chicken (unsauced), rice, and sauce separately. Then we could all have it how we wanted. No extra work for me, and I think at least 2 of them tried it.

This philosophy has worked well. Though there is some pickiness inherent in a couple of them, they are usually willing to try things. Eldest found that he can tolerate brussel sprouts. Older twin discovered that while he doesn't like cooked broccoli, he does like it raw. Youngest won't drink milk, but loves cheese and yogurt. And younger twin...well...he'll eat just about anything. :)