Won't eat

My baby who used to eat without a fuss has suddenly started refusing meals. He hates milk and any other dairy, so meals were the only opportunity i had, to offer him some nutrition.. but now suddenly, my champ eater has transformed into someone who literally evades every spoon of food i offer him. We have to distract him SO much at mealtimes, with toys, books, any random things in the house, TV, videos, to make him take even a single spoon of food. I did end up feeding him, but after an exhaustive hour of coaxing😪 Any thoughts?