There is a sad kind of irony in the kid that is struggling to finish their dinner being told they “have to” before they get their dessert. Teaching children to eat until full should be the preferred tactic around dinner time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Another piece of irony: It seems Pre-school children who are forced to finish their plates at home are more likely to eat more at snack time at kindergarten. This is probably because these children are unable to self regulate their eating to the same extent as children who eat till they are full.
So what is the answer? The author of the above mentioned article
recommends that parents provide moderate portions of a variety of foods, encouraging the child to at least try all of the foods, and let them decide whether they want additional servings.
Sounds easy enough 
