Toddlers/Children do not eat

Regarding children & toddlers (I play on Mac): They are hungry and their hunger bar continues to decay while they sit and sway - not talking - with food set on the table in front of them, or with food in hand (food which becomes invisible if they are not at table or highchair). It happens with just one child/toddler in household or with many. With multiple children, the problem will affects every child (or toddler) at the same time - e.g.: I've had triplets sitting at the table together, just quietly swaying in front of their food. This happens very often but not every time, and the problem is pervasive across settings and context. 

There is one hack I know of - going into manage worlds (usually have to switch households and then return). Usually the child/toddler will promptly begin eating the food they have with them after that, but this is very disruptive to gameplay and makes it frustrating rather than fun - especially because I have to neglect gameplay with other Sims in household to make sure the child or toddler is actually eating. This happens very often but not every time, and the problem is pervasive across settings and context:

They will not eat food made with skill; they will not eat fresh off the grill. They will not eat foods they prefer; they will not eat some leftovers. They will not eat food Grandma bakes; they will not eat with Bob Pancakes. They will not eat in a high chair, or even to avoid foster care. They won't eat with just MCCC; they won't eat when I play mod-free.    ...Not at a park; not in the dark. Not in their home; not with a gnome. Not in Sulani; not with their mommy.    ....They would not could not on the floor; they would not could not when outdoor. They would not eat with Daddy Winter; would not, Could Not with Grim Reaper! They do not like green eggs and ham; and they won't eat crumpets and jam. Please, I need EA to care - my Sims will not eat anywhere!   

"All this is true because it rhymes" - Vitruvius, The Lego Movie