Is Protein Powder Made from Insects? Here’s the Truth
Ever wondered if that protein powder at your gym could come from bugs?
Yeah, it can! And it’s not as gross as you might think.
Insect protein powder is a real thing, and it’s starting to catch on as people look for more sustainable ways to get their gains. I’ve been diving into the research, and it turns out these little critters might be the future of protein supplements.
Let me break down everything you need to know about bug protein – from what it actually is to whether you should consider swapping your whey for crickets. (And yes, I’ll try not to make too many bug puns along the way.)
The Buggy Truth About Insect Protein Powder
What exactly is insect protein powder?
It’s pretty much what it sounds like – dried and ground-up insects (usually crickets, mealworms, or lesser mealworms) turned into a fine powder that you can mix into your post-workout shake or morning smoothie.
The process is similar to how other protein powders are made:
- Raise the insects (more humanely than most livestock, I might add)
- Harvest and clean them
- Dry them completely
- Grind them into a fine powder
- Package and sell to adventurous fitness enthusiasts
Nutritional breakdown: How do bugs stack up?
Spoiler alert: insect protein is actually impressive from a nutritional standpoint.
Most insect protein powders contain over 65% protein by weight – that’s comparable to whey and higher than many plant proteins. And we’re talking complete protein here, meaning it has all nine essential amino acids your body needs but can’t produce on its own.
Beyond just protein, these powders pack:
- Beneficial fats including omega-3s and omega-6s
- Fiber (from chitin in their exoskeletons)
- Vitamin B12 (rare in plant-based proteins)
- Iron and zinc in highly bioavailable forms
- Various other micronutrients
According to a study in the European Journal of Nutrition, the amino acid profile of insect protein is actually quite similar to that of soy protein. The only catch is that insect protein digests a bit slower than whey, which might affect how quickly those amino acids hit your muscles.
But that slower digestion isn’t necessarily bad. It might actually make insect protein a great bedtime protein option when you want a steady release of amino acids while you sleep.
How does it taste? (The question we’re all wondering)
I’ll be honest – when I first heard about cricket protein, I imagined it would taste like, well, bugs.
But apparently, that’s not the case. Most insect protein powders have a mild, nutty flavor with umami notes. It’s often described as similar to nuts or seeds, with a slightly earthy undertone.
The texture is fine and powdery (when properly processed), so it blends well into:
- Protein shakes
- Smoothie bowls
- Baked goods
- Energy balls
- Pancakes and waffles
One user on Reddit described cricket powder as having “a pleasant, slightly nutty taste that’s way milder than I expected.” Another said it “disappears into a chocolate smoothie – you’d never know it came from bugs.”
The sustainability factor: Why bugs might be better
This is where insect protein really crushes the competition.
The environmental impact of producing insect protein is dramatically lower than traditional animal proteins:
- Insects require up to 12x less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein
- They need up to 2000x less water than beef production
- They produce nearly 100x fewer greenhouse gases per kg of protein
- They can be farmed vertically in small spaces
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, insects convert feed to protein much more efficiently than traditional livestock. For every 10kg of feed, you get about:
- 1kg of beef
- 3kg of pork
- 5kg of chicken
- 9kg of insect protein
When it comes to land use, the difference is even more dramatic. Research from Wageningen University shows that producing 1kg of protein from mealworms requires just 10% of the land needed for the same amount of beef protein.
Are people actually buying this stuff?
The market for insect protein is still small compared to whey or plant proteins, but it’s growing fast. Several companies now sell cricket protein powders and protein bars, with athletes and environmentally-conscious fitness enthusiasts leading the adoption.
The biggest hurdle? The “ick factor.”
Most people in Western countries didn’t grow up eating insects, so there’s a psychological barrier to overcome. But attitudes are changing, especially when people learn about the environmental and nutritional benefits.
A consumer study from the University of Copenhagen found that people were much more willing to try insect protein products when they were informed about the sustainability aspects.
Should you make the switch?
Whether insect protein is right for you depends on your priorities:
If you value sustainability and environmental impact above all, insect protein is probably your best bet.
If maximum muscle-building efficiency is your goal, whey protein still has a slight edge due to its faster absorption and slightly higher leucine content.
If you follow a plant-based diet but struggle with the complete amino acid profiles of some plant proteins, insect protein offers an interesting middle ground (though technically not vegetarian).
The bottom line on bug protein
Insect protein powder is a legitimate, nutritious protein source that deserves more attention than it gets. The environmental case is incredibly strong, and the nutritional profile stands up well against traditional proteins.
Is it going to replace whey or plant proteins overnight? Probably not. But as environmental concerns grow and food security becomes more important, insects represent a smart solution to our protein needs.
And hey, if you’re still squirming at the idea, remember that honey is bee vomit and we all seem okay with that.
As for me? I might just add some cricket protein to my next smoothie. For science, of course.
