The nutrition profile of cricket powder

Athletes are increasingly opting for sustainable nutrition options to fulfill their protein requirements. Bugs have long been a pantry staple in many Eastern countries, and now consuming insects is a burgeoning trend in the West. Perfect Protein breaks down the nutrition profile of cricket powder that is becoming the future of food.

Here’s a breakdown of the nutrition profile of cricket powder:

1. Branch Chain Amino Acids: The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a group of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They are essential as they can't be produced by the human body and must be obtained from food. BCAA have been shown to build muscle, decrease muscle fatigue, hasten recovery, aid absorption of protein, alleviate muscle soreness, and decrease the loss of other amino acids. A balanced healthy diet will offer these amino acids daily but obtaining all these amino acids in one meal is important for athletes right after their physical activity. Cricket protein powder has all 3 of the BCAAs, all of them part of the 9 essentials.

Cricket protein has all the qualities of a premium whey protein in terms of nutrition, containing all 9 essential amino acids, except that it uses far less of the world's resources to produce this protein.

Glycine is also present in spades that is key to the transportation of nutrients around the body.

2. Fiber: The combination of high protein and high fiber makes cricket powder extremely unique. The fiber content in cricket powder compares favorably to more familiar sources of fiber such as peas. The fiber in cricket flour is composed of chitin and chitosan, a poly amino saccharide that’s usually found only in crustacea, mollusks, and insects. This form of fiber comes from the cricket’s hardshell, or exoskeleton. According to some new research, this specific form of fiber binds to dietary lipids, reducing cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. 

3. Calcium: Cricket powder contains 1.6 times more calcium than milk. Calcium is important for building and maintaining strong bones. The heart, muscles, and nerves also need calcium to function properly.

4. Iron: Iron helps form hemoglobin that is essential for the transportation of oxygen around the body. Iron deficiencies can lead to fatigue. It is also important for producing energy, and optimal immune function. Cricket powder contains 3 times the soluble iron found in a sirloin steak. 

5. Vitamin B12: This vitamin is critical for the optimal health of the brain and nervous system, for the conversion of food into energy, and for the formation of red blood cells. It also keeps anemia at bay. Cricket powder contains 50 times more vitamin B12 than chicken and 7 times more than salmon.

6. Chitin: Cricket powder is full of chitin (pronounced k-eye-tin), a powerful prebiotic fiber that comes from the exoskeleton of arthropods like insects and crustaceans. A study found that the chitin in cricket powder was responsible for strong probiotic growth that contributes to a healthier digestive system. Some studies show that chitin is responsible for reducing systemic inflammation in people with irritable bowel disease.

7. Omega 3 & 6 Oils: Omega 3 fatty acids are known for preventing and managing heart disease, whilst Omega 6 plays a crucial role in brain function that helps stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and maintain the reproductive system. These two fatty acids are found in an optimal ratio of 3:1 in cricket powder.

How to consume cricket powder?

Cricket powder is 100% cricket with no added preservatives or corruptions. Mild and nutty in taste, it is suitable for both sweet and savory foods or supplements. It’s processed into an extremely fine powder that can be added to thick smoothies, baking protein-enriched brownies, or making protein and energy bars. 

Even better! Athletes can opt for Perfect Protein’s delectable bars made with cricket powder and flavored with almonds, chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon, raisin, and gluten-free oats. 

Why Perfect Protein?

Perfect protein, a wholly owned brand of Dalayla farms, creates consumable protein products using 100% sustainably raised crickets from its in-house farm.

 1. With Perfect Protein, clients have access to flavorful products that are a great source of complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids produced with minimal environmental impact.

 2. Crickets are very nutritionally dense sources of food. Here is their nutrition profile:

• 65% protein by volume
• High in iron
• High in fiber
• More B12 than salmon
• Gluten-free
• All 9 amino acids
• More calcium than milk
• 15% More iron than spinach

Visit the Perfect Protein farm to see how it works. Call at (716) 597-8656 or visit our shop online at www.crkt.life