Perhaps you're pushing an overly restrictive version of Paleo? Greek yogurt, almond butter, and cheese are fine foods, in moderation. You can sweeten tea with rice syrup to avoid fructose, or with sugar alcohols like xylitol. Rice pasta is healthy.

If I'm understanding the problem correctly she is super hungry early in the morning because she is refusing to eat what you cook for dinner, right? Sorry, but I think locking the fridge is the wrong thing to do. It's going to set her up to have major issues with food. It sounds like she has certain healthy foods that she likes. Almond butter, Greek yogurt and fruit and veggies are a great start for her. The goal is for her to be healthy, right? Why not give her the foods that she enjoys and gradually have her try new things so she builds up a repertoire of foods she likes? I really think being hard core about it and sending her to bed hungry is going to backfire on you. I remember having all sorts of food struggles with my parents when I was young and my reaction was as soon as I got out on my own I ate nothing but crap. I was in my late 30's before I'd even consider eating anything green, all because I associated it with the pain and drama that my parents inflicted on me. I'd hate to see that happen with your daughter.

I think sometimes if you talk too much about it, its a turn off to the family.

Just drop the subject, prepare what you feel is best and thats what dinner is! If I give too many options they always make it more complex simply because I've asked.

Also, I wouldnt get a child lock on the refridge, might send the wrong message. Just keep the foods you want her to have at her reach and if she's eating the yogurt and almond butter, it could be worse!! If she loves raw veggies, keep them readily available for her in baggies, perhaps with some dipping options, it sounds like you've taught her to make good choices!! reinforce the positive!!

She's still pretty young and you can keep track of what she's eating by whats in the house for her.

If you allow this child to see one person in the family eating greek yogurt and almond butter (which are great foods, BTW), and SHE can't have them, you will automatically make those the most desired foods on the planet. In a way, that might not be such a bad thing...they are certainly better than Skittles and M&M's....but she will put all forbidden foods in the same light...and they will be her new goal. The forbidden foods will be what she eats when you aren't looking, and trust me, eventually you will NOT be able to watch. If you are 'mean' enough about it, she will STILL be making up for her 'deprivation' when she is 40 years old, and obese.

She's a kid...still a baby. Please, for the health of your child, Don't make food a battleground.

push it from most important aspects of paleo- eliminating the industrial seed oils, gluten and excess fructose. they should reap tons of health benefits just from eliminating those things. then after that step maybe start slowly changing the amount of paleo friendly foods more to your liking over a period of time. good luck.

I have to ask why you have food in the house that isn't allowed? No matter what diet or lifestyle I've followed, I just make sure that any food I stock is "anytime" food. If the food isn't there, you can't fight about it.

Kombuncha- a fermented version of sweet tea has replaced it for me at home. You might give it a try.

I hope you get things up and running. Takes a lot of psychology with kids and husbands unfortunately. I would love to put together a kid's community where they could exchange views with other kids who eat healthy like they do since they see so much to the contrary out there. After all we are here constantly exchanging our views...they don't get that luxury. You really need to be patient. Even if it takes a year or even two to turn them around...its the long term results that you are after not a short term success.

Anyway, my 6 yr old's favorites for breakfast are almond/coconut flour pancakes with coconut milk in them. she hates coconut milk by the way, but in the pancakes no problem. And anyway with kids who burn so much energy..a little maple syrup isn't gonna kill them.

You may have to make a lot of things at home...macaroons, meringues, coconut balls, which are all much better than other sweet junk and you can slowly phase them out. My duaghter now after almost 1 yr cannot stand chocolate, hates things that are too sweet and will leave half a desert when she is allowed to have it.

You can make great ginger ale at home as well as cherry soda, using more healthy sweeteners. (again slowly less and less and it does work)

From the horror stories I've heard about the struggles of others I think you are doing a fantastic job at home! Heck you've got a kid who loves fruits, veggies, greek yogurt and almond butter! You're way ahead of the pack momma! I agree completely with your style of food parenting. Make it and they can take it or leave it. But I agree you can loosen up a bit if only for the sake of your own sanity. Maybe make up little containers with kid-friendly foods that she likes (baby carrots and almond butter, yogurt and fruit etc) and keep them low in the fridge so she can go get them when she is hungry. Don't lose your mind over this. And let the man have his cheese and throw him some rice pasta once a week if that makes him happy. Just keep hanging in there. Change is hard. Do what you can do and remember it's a process. Take the next year ahead and start looking for ways to integrate paleo into the family. It will happen.

If you don't already know of her, Sarah Fragoso has great advice on getting the family, especially the kids, on board in her book and on her website: http://everydaypaleo.com/