I too subscirbe to the 'happy medium as opposed to the all or nothing approach. I have always seen my role to be the supplement to what was offered at school, plus I made a point of making sure those supplements were choc full of nutrients. (Do like your food analogy) I never refused the sauce, but offered tons of fillers so the sauce wasnt quite so interesting.

I wish to add that my observations say reluctant readers are often so, as they have not been given the best keys to read easily. If they are lacking the confidence to read easily, have fallen thrugh the cracks, and/or have not been given the tools to read, then the content wont appeal - period. IMHO.