Meal time woes

I live by the rule that you are responsible for providing a time, place, and thing to eat and your kid is responsible for how much they eat. They won’t let themselves starve, but if they know you’ll provide something they like better they’ll hold out and make you feel bad. I give my 14 month old whatever it is that I eat during the day plus a couple snacks and when he starts throwing his food or playing with it I take it away and will prompt him to see if he’ll take more. If not, I let him down from his seat and his meal is done.

Oh, and I never give him circles of food either. Cucumbers, pepperonis, grapes, blueberries, etc are all cut into AT LEAST 1/2 if not 1/4 pieces

I agree with bella. Dont continue to offer only what they like. If they dont want what you have to offer, they will decline it until they are hungry enough. They've got enough fat reserve on them, they can skip a meal and be fine (might be a little cranky)

And let their jaws work, bone is right under the gums. I give my LO chips in small pieces. He loves them and crunches them just fine. Cheese its is one of his favorite snacks (I eat more than half the cracker first).
You could also use baby food to try to incorporate new tastes. But he eats what we eat. Or sometimes for less messier options, I turn it into a quesadilla or cook it in eggs.
Its also ok if they eat with their hands. Offer cutlery, and if they only hold it, that's ok. They will learn by watching. My LO "helps" me scoop more onto his plate with his fork