Last week I challenged you all to guess the secret protein-rich ingredient in a new muffin recipe we tried in the studio.
Most of you guessed almond flour.
While almond flour is a GREAT source of protein (~6g per ounce), a great source of vitamins and minerals, and relatively low in carbohydrates (~5.6g per ounce), most of you were wrong.
I used cricket protein instead! 🦗💪
Cricket flour is an excellent choice for anyone looking to bake with high-protein, low-carb, and incredibly sustainable flour.
That is, of course, as long as you can get past the idea that you… you know, eat bugs.
Crickets are high in protein
Pound for pound, crickets are protein powerhouses. Compared to beef, which typically contains 17-40% protein, the body of a cricket contains 65-70% pure, complete protein. That means it contains the same essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) as other animal proteins that our bodies use to build muscle.
YOU ARE LOW IN CARBS (AND HIGH IN EVERYTHING ELSE)
Ten grams of cricket flour contains ~50 calories, ~6 grams of protein, ~2.5 grams of fat, and less than 1 gram of carbohydrates. Crickets are also hopping on vitamins and minerals. This includes 25% of your recommended daily riboflavin, 80% of your recommended daily vitamin B12, 20% of your biotin, and 15% of your zinc. As such, cricket flour/powder is a fantastic choice for anyone following the keto or paleo diet.
CRICKET PROTEIN IS VERY SUSTAINABLE
We should all strive to go green wherever we can because we only have one way to take care of the earth. From a health and wellness perspective, it’s important that what we do with our diet, nutrition and fitness doesn’t happen in a vacuum. In 2018 I caught, scaled, gutted and filleted my own cod while fishing in Iceland. The experience gave me a whole new appreciation for the food we are all blessed with and reminded me of my place in the larger ecosystem.
At the micro level, health and wellness means eating well, exercising, and supporting our mental and spiritual health. At the macro level, it’s about looking at our lives more holistically and understanding how we affect the environment.
Crickets as a food source are incredibly sustainable. Actually, some say they belong to the world the most sustainable protein. In particular, traditional agriculture and the growth of arable land are eating up land and devastating wild habitats, leading to population decline and the extinction of certain species. Livestock farming also has an enormous carbon footprint. A report says livestock accounts for 18% of man-made greenhouse gases.
BUT HOW DOES GRILL FLOUR TASTE?
These muffins get an extra boost from cricket protein, and Wilson couldn’t even tell!
See, humans have been eating crickets (and other bugs) for centuries. And in many parts of the world, they’re a common ingredient. I thought you might be squeamish at first but I guarantee it’s worth pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and overcoming any issues you may have.
The taste itself is quite mild. In fact, I was able to completely fool Wilson when he tried mine Low carb cricket flour muffins. If anything, I’d say there’s an almost malty flavor. However, I can promise that the cricket flavor can easily be masked in any savory dish.
ADD BBQ TO YOUR DIET
You may have to dig around (😏) to find them, but crickets should definitely be a part of your diet. Even if you just mix cricket and almond flour in a recipe to give it a protein boost, you’re taking steps to improve your health and well-being. AND you are taking steps to be a better steward of the planet. If you want some inspiration, I suggest starting with the low carb muffins mentioned above. But you can also try using cricket protein in some of my other recipes:
- Easy Gluten Free Almond Crust Pizza
- Fast Gluten Free Protein Banana Waffles
- Gluten-free corn fritters with avocado cream
BOOM!
I hope I’ve convinced you to go out and try this protein source. As global food shortages worsen year by year and the environment calls for our protection, it becomes increasingly important to practice sustainability in our diet while maintaining our health, well-being and nutrition.
So get out there and hop on!
Because if you say you care about the planet but don’t do anything about it, you’re just a hypocrite.
Want to try it but don’t know where to look?
Click here to shop my favorite cricket products on Amazon.