Are creepy crawlies the new protein powder?

All of their health benefits are making us wonder – are creepy crawlies the new protein powder?

It is always good to mix it up and try and incorporate new foods into your diet: the more adventurous the better. And what is more adventurous than adding insects into your meals? Yep, you did read that right: creepy crawlies. Now don’t think we are weird for suggesting it, as insects actually have a wide variety of health benefits. Here are just a few of them…

High in protein

Did you know that cricket flour has triple the amount of protein of a steak? And double the amount of chicken? Bet you didn’t! On top of a huge amount of protein, it’s also very rich in iron and calcium, which will give you more energy, reduced blood pressure, and better bone health. It’s also obviously less in mass, meaning you get more nutritional value per gram, making it a healthier choice than stocking up on meat. It is also gluten-free, making it accessible to coeliacs, and better for your gut to digest.

Boosts weight loss

If you want to burn body fat quickly, insect products are definitely something that you should look into eating. Not only are they full of protein, which is essential for replacing fat with muscle to give you a leaner look, they’re also very low in carbohydrates (about 0.8g per serving), meaning they will give you quick results and won’t sit in your stomach and mess with your blood sugar as much as large amounts of refined carbohydrates would.

High in vitamins

Many people are deficient in vitamin B12 as it isn’t produced by the body, so has to be gained from certain foods. But just one serving of cricket flour contains about 17 percent of your daily value of vitamin B12, which is a huge amount. Having sufficient levels of it is important, as it boosts your energy levels, helps your nervous system to function, helps heart health, and also encourages healthy skin and hair. So if you want to have a bouncy step to match your bouncy hair, it’s time to start eating insects!

High in amino acids

Insects really pack a punch with all of their nutritional values don’t they? Cricket flour specifically is incredibly rich in amino acids, as it is a complete protein, so it contains essential branched-chain amino acids needed for muscle development. Without these amino acids that are found in diverse proteins such as insects, you risk becoming deficient: leading to bad memory, low concentration, unstable blood sugar levels, and can have trouble maintaining or losing weight. It can be hard to find food that will provide such a level of amino acids, so better stock up now to start feeling good!

Better for the environment

Beyond all of the great health benefits, eating insects might be better for the environment than eating meat, as it offers a cheaper and more efficient way to feed people worldwide. Maintaining the production of meat requires electricity, food for the animals and land. Insects are all around us anyway, (especially when we are trying to relax in the park!) and take a lot less maintenance to produce somewhat more nutritious food. It seems that the idea of adding insects into the diet is seeming less and less strange, as there are new protein bars, powders and snacks being launched all the time. So join the craze, and give insects a go: you never know, you might enjoy them!