When you think of protein bars, you probably think of the common fruit-and-nut combination with a chewy texture and perhaps a chocolatey coating. But things are changing fast in the world of protein bars, and manufacturers are coming up with new ideas to cater to the growing market for premium, healthy snacks. Beef protein bars, cricket-based protein bars, insect protein, and cricket flour protein bars – are all emerging trends that signal how dynamic this segment is becoming. Let’s look at why the demand for these insects as food is on the rise, what cricket-based products are available on the market, and which sports nutrition brands have jumped on board with their own cricket-based products.
For more great ideas about Cricket Protein, Checkout my interview with Kalen Jordan here.
Why Are People Eating More Crickets?
There are a few different factors that are driving the rise in the popularity of crickets as a food source. First, the growing awareness of the need to feed a growing world population without increasing the amount of land used for farming is encouraging people to turn to insects as a more sustainable source of protein. There are more than 1,900 species of edible insects, and crickets are among the most commonly consumed. As the market grows, the global cricket farming industry will become more efficient, driving down prices for consumers and making the option of eating insects as a protein source more affordable. Crickets are also a healthy source of protein. They are high in protein and fiber, low in fat, and contain no gluten. They are rich in B vitamins, magnesium, and iron and are also a good source of calcium, zinc, and potassium. However, their nutritional value varies according to species and feed, so it’s important to choose carefully when buying crickets as food.
Cricket-Based Protein Bars: What to Look Out For
Cricket flour protein bars are higher in calories than most other protein bar varieties, with a recommended serving size of just two bars. They also take longer to digest, so you’ll feel fuller for longer. This means it’s essential to be careful not to exceed the recommended serving size, or you may feel unnecessarily full. Cricket protein bars, using cricket powder, often contain less fiber and more saturated fat than fruit and nut-based protein bars – so again, you need to be careful not to exceed the recommended serving size. If a cricket powder protein bar contains chocolate, be mindful that this will also be high in calories, so again, you need to be careful not to exceed the recommended serving size.
Why Are Cricket Flours So Hot Right Now?
Cricket flour is essentially flour made from ground-up crickets. At first glance, this may seem like an odd ingredient to put into a sports nutrition product, but cricket flour offers a number of health and nutritional benefits. It’s high in protein, low in fats, and packed with fiber. It’s also a good source of B vitamins, iron, and magnesium. Cricket flour is high in tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin – a neurotransmitter that helps keep our moods balanced. And it’s a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine amino acids that humans can’t produce naturally and need to get from our diet.
Which Sports Brands Currently Make Cricket Flour Protein Bars?
The brands listed below currently make cricket flour protein bars. – Health Warrior: Health Warrior bars contain a blend of crickets, peanuts, oats, and seeds. Their cricket flour protein bars are available in peanut butter, cacao nut, and coconut flavors. – Clif Bar & Company: Clif Bar’s cricket flour protein bar contains oats, peanuts, and honey and is available in two flavors: peanut butter and oatmeal raisin. – The Muscle Milk Company: Muscle Milk’s cricket flour protein bar contains whey protein, almonds, and oats. It’s available in three flavors: peanut butter, chocolate, and honey. – B. nutter Butter: B. nutter Butter’s cricket flour protein bar contains oats, almonds, and peanut butter. It’s available in three flavors: chocolate chip, peanut butter, and salted caramel.
The Takeaway
Crickets and insect protein have become popular sources of protein for people looking for a sustainable, eco-friendly option to feed the world. They’re rich in B vitamins and iron and are a good calcium, zinc, and potassium source. They’re also a complete protein, meaning they contain all nine amino acids that humans can’t produce naturally and need to get from their diet. Cricket flour is a common form of cricket protein and is now used in sports nutrition bars as an alternative to whey or other protein powders. Cricket flour protein bars are often lower in calories than fruit and nut-based bars, making them more suitable for those seeking to lose weight.
*This post was 100% written by Artificial Intelligence and edited by Brent W. Peterson
