Protein Supplements for the Adventurous

Hopefully this puts another interesting spin on edible insects for you!  Just in case you weren't already convinced!

One of my blog posts mentions the nutritional value of insects and explores the difference between some of our current proteins sources and available insects, for example crickets and mealworms.  It can't be denied that they are healthy and provide us with a great source of protein as well as providing us with essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

 Another product that is talked about a lot at the moment is cricket flour.  As a really high protein product, cricket flour can be added to cakes or cookies to provide an extra hit of protein in your diet.  Don't be mislead here as the cakes and cookies aren't going to suddenly become good for you, despite you wishing that was the good news.  But if you're going to eat them, you may as well get some goodness in the process.

There is an important audience who would really benefit from insect protein supplements and that's athletes and bodybuilders!  There are a lot of fitness fanatics out there who pay attention to their diet, you might drink protein shakes or need to build up a lot of protein before an event.

Courtesy of Joel Butkowski

This article by  Daniella Martin otherwise known as Girl Meets Bug is about why insects should feature in protein shakes, following a talk she did at the Society of Sports and Nutrition in Las Vegas.

Martin reminds us of the nutritional value of insects, particularly due to the fact that they are eaten whole and therefore we benefit from things such as calcium due to the digestion of the exoskeleton.

Martin's experience revealed a very enthusiastic audience, claiming that extreme athletes and body builders are keen to try new high protein food trends if it means optimizing performance.  Could this be the bridge to entomophaghy in the West?

It isn't just extreme athletes who will benefit.  Trekkers, rock climbers, mountaineers, anybody who needs healthy, protein rich food on the go.  There is an Icelandic company called Crowbar who started making noises back in September 2014 but their product list seems to be a work in progress.  Definitely one to watch!  There are a couple of great companies in the US and Canada too called Exo and Chapul.  It makes perfect sense, especially for those who are squeamish about eating insects in their whole form and these protein bars look really tasty.  It is worth reminding you that we all eat insects in our food already.  The Food Standards Agency gives an allowance for unavoidable insect fragments in the food we eat so why not add a little more and make it worth while.

As a thru trekker, I needed a lightweight, high protein diet for a 4 months trek and insects would have been perfect.  Bug Grub have packets of mixed insects with various different flavours that would keep a backpack light and make a nice change from nuts and seeds.  However, this company also seem to be a work in progress with lots of products awaiting images and showing as sold out.   However, it is a UK based company which is very encouraging.  Keep an eye on their website as things progress. Although I do have to add that they appear to currently source their products from Asia.  This may not be sustainable but it is supporting poorer economies so I'll leave that choice up to you!

Enjoy checking out these really exciting products!