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Chocolate Chirps Cricket Protein Powder Review

A bowl of protein shake next to 2 eggs , 3 pieces of banana and a jar of chirps eat bugs protein powder.

Chocolate Chip Cricket Cookie Mix with Cricket Powder

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Rating: 4 out of 5
Pros

Insects are a sustainable source of high-quality protein that requires 1000 times less water than whey and 216 times less water than soy for production. While intact crickets are delicious (really!), I didn’t taste them in this formula. It was just sweet enough, and didn’t leave me with the digestive problems that sometimes come with animal-based proteins. Packed with 20g of protein per serving, this product is a must-have.

Cons

People who aren’t familiar with insect protein may be uncomfortable with cricket powder. Insects have a wide range of nutritional profiles, so start by picking reliable sources, and use established brands. It also costs more than traditional protein powders, so if you are not sure that crickets are right for your palate, you should try a smaller sample size.

Bottom Line

Chocolate Chirps is a fun, tasty source of complete protein. It is a great alternative for the environmentally conscious consumer or for those with milk allergies. It costs more than other protein powders, but is a great resource for those looking for alternatives to the traditional western diet.

We may earn compensation from the products and offers mentioned in this article. However, any expressed opinions are our own and aren’t influenced by compensation. To read our full disclosure, click here.

Explore New Foods With Chocolate Chirps Cricket Protein

Chocolate Chirps Cricket Protein Powder is a popular brand in the emerging Western market of entomophagy (i.e., eating insects). I’m an explorer—and I’m always looking for new experiences. So when I heard about cricket protein powder, I decided to give it a try. This isn’t the first time I ate bugs, and I thought, “If I don’t like it, I’ll have a funny story, but if I like it I’ll have bragging rights and can share it with my friends!” Which brings me to this article—and you. 

After trying Chirps, I looked around online and learned that I’m definitely not the first person to try it. Crickets are already going mainstream! The Seattle Mariners sell out of lime-chili dusted roasted Oaxacan chapulines (a species of Mexican grasshopper) at home games. The fans love them so much they can’t keep enough of them in stock. It seems that all over the country, people are eating insects. They are doing it for fun, to be healthier, and to be more environmentally conscious. Plus: if you like being the first of your friends to try something new, you’d better get on this now before they beat you to it.

More people are discovering the delicious world of cricket protein (and other insects). But it’s important to note that eating insects is only new in the Western world. Over 2 billion people currently enjoy crickets and other insects as a regular source of protein, and they are often consumed like potato chips and candy bars. Unlike junk food, crickets are good for you in addition to being addictively delicious.

Insect Protein vs Animal Protein

There are many types of protein powder. The most common protein powder types are plant based or made of animal byproducts like whey. But crickets and insects are an excellent source of protein, too. And this source of protein is sustainable! According to Chirps, they require much less food and about 1,000 times less water to raise than mammalian livestock and birds. This makes them easier on the environment and our natural resources, and a smart alternative in dry climates.

A selection of fried bugs ready to be mixed with chocolate chirps cricket protein powder.
Fried Insects as an Alternative Source Of Protein (Image source: Shutterstock)

One of the biggest problems with traditional livestock is greenhouse gas emissions. 36% of the methane released by the United States into the atmosphere comes from livestock, and that’s more than the energy sector pollutes. Globally, livestock account for about 15% of the methane released into the atmosphere.

Cricket protein content is about 70% by dry weight compared to an average of 50% for cows. At the same time, crickets have 1% of the carbon footprint of cattle, according to researchers at Cornell University.  Insects have a wide variety of nutritional profiles. Some are high in protein while others are high in fat. They are also generally sustainable. For example, mealworms produce 100 times less methane than pigs. Crickets are sustainable, plus they’re high in protein and low in fat. This makes them one of the healthier, more sustainable insects to consume.

Eating Bugs is Healthy

Chirps Cricket Protein Powder is a low-calorie protein source that is high in vitamins and minerals. 100 grams of cricket has 20.5 grams of protein, 5.5 grams of fat, and only 121 calories. Crickets also have 45 times the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids as beef. That’s more than salmon!

Marcel Dicke: Why not eat insects? – TED

Crickets aren’t just a good source of macronutrients. They contain micronutrients, too, including prebiotics, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12. Crickets make it easier for you to get the nutrition you need to keep your blood and bones healthy. Generally, eating bugs is healthy. The risks of eating insects are similar to those of eating chicken, pork, or beef. One should always make sure their food has been cooked properly to reduce the potential of disease. Responsible consumers will also look into how their food is produced to ensure it is clean, safe, sustainable, and grown as ethically as possible.

Crickets Invade Pop Culture

In 2014, a Utah startup appeared on Shark Tank and convinced Mark Cuban to invest in crickets. And the market has been growing ever since. In 2017, Rose Wang and Laura D’Asaro pitched the Chirps model. Mark Cuban came through again, accepting their Umami-flavored pitch and welcoming them into the fold.

In the spring of 2019, Chirps beat out nine other startups to win SNAC International’s inaugural challenge at SNAXPO in Orlando, Florida. Cricket foods are here to stay, and Chirps is leading the way.

Insect Protein Powder Recipes

Chocolate Chirps Cricket Protein Powder is a great product to use in homemade protein bars. One of the biggest problems in the protein bar market is proper nutrition. Many protein bars are packed with so much sugar and fat that you might as well be eating candy bars. Making your own cricket protein bars can help you keep your calories down and your protein up. In addition to protein bars, you can add Chocolate Chirps Cricket Protein Powder to shakes, smoothies, pancakes, and dozens of other recipes for dishes you already know and love.

Toward a Sustainable Future

Health-conscious consumers are always looking for better ways to stay fit, and protein supplements are a common staple in their fitness programs. Consumers who are worried about rising population levels, climate change, and environmental protection have a new option to try. They can investigate insect powder as a reliable and low impact source of nutrition. Chocolate Chirps Protein Powder is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals that uses less water and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a great way to stay healthy and protect the environment at the same time.

Chocolate Chirps Cricket insect protein powder is an excellent way to get a gentle introduction to the world of entomophagy. The powder eliminates the gag reflex that some people may have when viewing whole insects and tastes great. Buy Chocolate Chirps Cricket Protein Powder today and see if crickets are right for you.