Consuming crickets may sound strange and maybe you cringe and the thought of crunching on a dill pickle flavoured whole roasted cricket, but eating insects isn’t so odd. In fact, over 80% of the world, or around 2 Billion people practice entomophagy or the act of consuming insects. Humans have actually used bugs as a source of protein and nutrients for thousands of years!
Plus, when you look at the environmental impact & health benefits of other protein sources compared to crickets, it seems obvious that crickets are the superior choice.
Keep Reading for our guide on why crickets are the ultimate protein source and find answers to these questions:
Is it Safe to Eat Crickets?
Yes, crickets safe to eat, even in large amounts! After all, many humans across the globe eat and have been eating them, for thousands of years. This means our bodies are used to digesting and using cricket protein as fuel. Cricket protein is dairy, gluten, soy and egg-free and is considered one of the most sustainable protein sources. The only concern with eating crickets is that it can result in sensitivities if you are allergic to shellfish.
Are Crickets a Good Source of Protein?
Crickets are a completely natural source of a full spectrum protein. This means that it provides your body with all the essential branched-chain amino acids it needs (BCAA’s). Cricket protein also has nutrients like vitamin B12, Magnesium, and Zinc. Additionally, this amazing source of protein contains 60%-65% pure protein when beef only contains between 17%-40% pure protein. Also, crickets contain 2 to 3 times as much protein per 100g as meat and fish. They have more grams of protein, less fat and more fibre when you compare them to the same amount of calories of beef.
Our Fit Cricket Nutrition Protein Bars contain 10g of protein per bar from 60 crickets in 3 great flavours; apple pie, chilli chocolate and coconut lemon.
What Are The Health Benefits of Eating Cricket Protein?
Crickets have some amazing health benefits because of how nutritious and easily digestible they are. When compared gram to gram, crickets will also offer:
This protein source is also rich in vitamins like biotin, copper and selenium. All of the essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy & happy can be found in crickets!
How Can Eating Crickets Help Improve Your Gut Health?
Did you know that what we eat and our gut microbiota influences our immune system, as well as our brain and overall body function? Having a healthy gut is essential for a healthy body. Crickets are not only great for you and the environment, but they can also help you to maintain healthy gastrointestinal function and gut microbiome or gut flora. Healthy gut microbes help to benefit the body’s metabolic processes including immunity, nutrition absorption, and creating neurotransmitters, enzymes, and vitamins.
Research has shown that cricket powder supports the growth of a probiotic bacteria which can help maintain a healthy gut. The fibre in cricket protein, called chitin, has prebiotic properties to help support the growth of that healthy gut bacteria. Eating crickets may even help to reduce inflammation in your body, prevent diarrhea, reduce side effects of antibiotic treatment, and increase resistance to common respiratory infections.
Where Can I Find Sustainable, Delicious Cricket Protein Products?
Fit Cricket Nutrition protein products are not only sustainable and delicious but also support many dietary restrictions, contain no fillers or additives and are minimally processed. Our products use no refined sugars and come in a variety of delicious flavours like Honey Mustard BBQ whole roasted crickets and Apple Pie or Lemon Coconut protein bars. We use a breed of crickets that is lighter in colour and flavour so you may not even notice a difference from regular flours or protein powders. Explore all of our eco-friendly, delicious & nutritious, protein-packed products!
