You can calm your child’s mood more quickly and easily than you ever though possible!
Our then twelve-year-old was having a bit of a meltdown. Maybe not a full-on meltdown, but he was definitely headed down the path of emotional chaos. Voice rising, face red, flailing arms, irrational complaints—classic preteen moment. We were out somewhere (honestly, I can’t remember where exactly—those moments blend together after a while), and I could tell we were about five seconds away from the point of no return. If only there were some magical pill I could give him to make calm him down almost immediately! Hmmm…
So, what did we do? We rolled up a piece of sliced ham (yes, really), handed it to him, and said, “Eat this. Now.” I know that sounds dramatic. But he took a bite, chewed, swallowed—and within minutes, calm. Beautiful calm. Ahhh, how nice!
And here’s the crazy part—it wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t just a coincidence or a one-time miracle. This has worked over and over again, not just with him, but with our four-year-old too. Thanks to what we’ve learned about the power of protein, we’ve been able to keep our little man at a surprising level of calmness and rationality (if possible with a toddler) ever since he was an infant. Baby-lead weaning helped too, of course. That amazing method of introducing food to infants, coupled with the power of protein, has honestly helped us almost entirely avoid the dreaded “terrible twos” as well as the even more common (ask most parents, if you don’t know already) “terrible threes.”
Sugar Meltdowns Are Real
You may be one of those parents, so please don’t be offended, but I see it all the time—kids living on a steady drip of sugary snacks and refined carbs. I’m talking goldfish crackers, granola bars that might as well be candy, yogurt tubes with more sugar than a donut, juice boxes, applesauce pouches, cereal… you get the idea.
Now, I’m not saying we’ve never handed out a gummy snack or given our kids a cookie. We’re not saints. But when all a kid eats is fast-burning carbs and sugar, it’s no wonder they’re moody little tornadoes. Their blood sugar spikes and crashes like a toddler on a trampoline. They get a quick rush, and then BAM—crash. Cue the whining, crying, screaming, or total shutdown.
It’s not that they’re “bad kids.” It’s not that you’re a bad parent. But it is a problem. And there’s a simple solution that doesn’t involve bribes, threats, or deep breathing exercises (although hey, those have their place too).
Enter: Protein, the Unsung Hero for Preventing Meltdowns
Let’s talk about the one ingredient that changed our parenting game: protein.
It sounds too simple to be true, right? But hear me out. Protein is the slow-burning fuel that keeps our brains and bodies steady. It helps regulate blood sugar, keeps hunger at bay, and promotes better focus, mood, and energy. It’s like the anchor in the storm.
When you give your kid protein, you’re giving them a tool to regulate their body and emotions. You’re feeding their brain, not just their stomach. That’s huge.
And let’s be honest—kids don’t always know when they’re hungry. Heck, adults don’t either. But their little bodies sure feel it. They get “hangry.” They lash out. They melt down. And so often, it’s not a discipline problem—it’s just a fuel problem.
The Ham Incident (and Others Like It)
Back to the ham. You might be laughing at the image of a parent pulling deli meat out of their bag like some kind of lunchbox magician, but I swear by it. I’ve handed out rolled-up turkey slices in parking lots, cheese sticks on hikes, and hard-boiled eggs at playgrounds. I’ve slid almond butter packets across the table mid-argument like it’s a peace offering. And it works.
Our four-year-old, who’s still figuring out how to name feelings like “hungry” or “overstimulated,” gets noticeably calmer after a handful of nuts or a slice of cheese. It’s like he suddenly remembers how to human again.
This trick doesn’t solve every tantrum, of course. Sometimes kids just need a nap. Or some space. Or a hug. But I’ll say this: protein has saved us more times than I can count. And it’s usually the fastest fix.
What Counts as “Protein”?
Let’s talk specifics. Here’s a list of grab-and-go protein ideas that we keep stocked, stashed, and strategically placed around our house, car, and bags:
- Sliced Deli meat (ham, turkey, chicken—roll it up, hand it over, boom)
- Cheese sticks or cubes
- Hard-boiled eggs (pre-peeled, if you want to save your sanity)
- Nut butter packets (almond, peanut, cashew—just watch for added sugar)
- Nuts (assuming no allergy, of course!)
- Greek yogurt (unsweetened or low-sugar)
- Chickpea snacks (we love these from Biena Snacks)
- Hummus and veggies
- Edamame (frozen packs are great for tossing in a lunchbox)
- Jerky or meat sticks (look for low-sugar versions)
- Cottage cheese (underrated and surprisingly kid-friendly)
- Protein pancakes or muffins (make a batch ahead and freeze them!)
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. Just have something on hand that’s more “power food” and less “empty sugar rush.”
The Magic Combo: Protein + Connection
Want to really level up? Pair the protein with a moment of connection. Sometimes I’ll sit down next to my little guy, hand him a cheese stick, and say, “Here, love. Just eat this” while I rub his back. It’s disarming. It’s kind. It shifts the mood.
And honestly, protein works for adults too. I’ve learned that I also lose my mind when I haven’t eaten real food. Now I keep a bag of almonds in my bag, not just for the kids, but for me. Because nothing good happens when you’re hangry.
What About the Naysayers?
Look, if you’re thinking, “This sounds too good to be true,” I get it. It does sound a little ridiculous that a turkey slice could stop a tantrum. But if you’re struggling with mood swings, epic meltdowns, or cranky chaos at home, just try it. You’ve got nothing to lose—except maybe a little bit of your daily chaos.
There’s no downside to feeding your kid more protein. You’re giving their body what it needs to grow strong, their brain what it needs to function well, and your sanity a much-needed break.
Final Thoughts
Parenting is hard. Meltdowns are tough. And we all wish there was a magic button to make it easier. While I haven’t found the button yet (still searching, trust me), I have found that protein is pretty darn close.
So next time your kid is unraveling and you’re on the verge of losing your cool, skip the sugary snack, skip the screen time bribe, and instead, hand over something packed with protein.
It might just be the calm you’ve been looking for.
Tried this trick yourself? Let me know what works for your kiddos—I love hearing parent hacks that keep the peace! Leave a comment below or send me a message. We’re all in this together, and if deli meat can save one more parent from a full-on meltdown moment, I’m calling that a win!
~ Jason T.
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