[OnTheJourney]

My little one is 16.5 months so we are right there. Here is my strategy:

-Practice, practice, practice! We eat supper as a family every night so DS learns and practices proper table manners. We put him as close to the table as his chair will allow to be a part of the meal. Be consitent in the behaviors you expect of her and allow her to do. At this age I find if you let them get away with something once, its like 20 steps backward.

-Only place a small amount of food on her tray, like 2 or 3 bites. If she is doing well, allow her to have a few more pieces and selection. If she starts throwing, take it all away and just give one at a time to her mouth. I find at this age they want independance and this has seemed to work with DS.

-Then, like JPD said - veggies puffs! We have a "treat" (veggie puffs for us now, was puffed wheat, ritz bit, but whatever is her favorite that month) and we don't give them at home. They are only for when we are out. Ds gets so excited just seeing the can, he behaves very well as he sits and devours them!

DS will now sit in his chair, eating and interacting with us for and entire family meal including coffee and dessert, whether it is at home or out.
Now if only he will physically get in it with out the fight and struggle! This is our latest (phase I hope), he is great once he is in, but the act of putting him in and buckling him up is quite a display. But asain, we are just being consistent and hopefully it will get better.

Good Luck to you!