Do Real Food and No Sugar Really Reduce Tantrums in Children? A Nutritionist Explains

The calm demeanour of Kamari Sky Wassink, the daughter of celebrity Jennifer Coppen and the late Dali Wassink, has caught the attention of netizens. The 3-year-old appeared composed and did not throw any tantrums during her mother’s wedding ceremony. This has been linked to Kamari’s diet, which reportedly consists largely of ‘real food’ and minimal sugar. But does a healthy diet truly influence tantrum levels in children?

Public health nutritionist Dr Tan Shot Yen explains that tantrums are not always caused by food or excessive sugar consumption. According to her, tantrums can arise from various factors, including a child’s limited ability to express their feelings and the problems they are facing.

‘Tantrums have many causes, not just food. Tantrums can occur when a child lacks the adequate ability to convey what they are feeling and the issues they are dealing with. Parents need to understand what is happening with their child,’ Dr Tan said on Thursday (18/6/2026).

Regarding healthy eating patterns, Dr Tan stressed the importance of parents acting as role models for their children. She noted that healthy eating habits cannot simply be taught through advice but must be demonstrated in daily life. ‘Parents are role models for their children. So healthy eating patterns must start with the parents. Children are just great imitators,’ she said.

She also shared healthy food recommendations for children aged 12 to 23 months, based on the ‘Isi Piringku’ (My Plate) guidelines from the Ministry of Health. At this age, the focus is on nutrient-dense intake dominated by animal protein. Complementary feeding accounts for 70 per cent of the child’s total nutritional needs, with the remaining 30 per cent still met through breast milk.

The recommended plate for this age group includes 5 tablespoons of white rice (approximately 55 grams), 55 grams of animal protein such as chicken liver, 20 grams of vegetables like spinach and carrots, 7.5 grams of oil, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. This portion can be served for one to two meals. The animal protein can be substituted with 60 grams of fish, 50 grams of beef, one egg, or 60 grams of chicken.

For children aged 2 to 5 years, the Ministry of Health’s guidelines suggest a plate consisting of 7 tablespoons of white rice, 50 grams of chicken thigh, 50 grams of chayote and carrot, and one piece of fried tofu. A few pieces of fruit, such as papaya, can also be added.