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Aussie couple makes crickets — a more eco-friendly source of protein — a mainstay in their diet
It is a goal for many people to lead healthier lives. Besides adopting a more active lifestyle, it would also entail having a nutrient-rich diet.
That means incorporating lots of fruits and vegetables into your daily meals. You can also add whole grains and protein-rich food that are not necessarily red meat.
But did you know that a healthy diet can also include crickets?
For Aussie couple Suji Yoo and Alessandro Ranieri, crickets are a part of their weekly meals. A cousin of the grasshopper, crickets are supposedly highly nutritious and particularly rich in protein.
Suji Yoo and Alessandro Ranieri have added crickets to their ‘climate diet.’ Credit: Instagram
One study published in 2020 even found that edible crickets contain higher protein levels than animal meat such as pork and chicken.
There is a long history of eating crickets worldwide. In certain parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, insects are a part of the traditional cuisine.
But even if eating crickets is backed up by science and history, not everyone is keen on eating insects regularly. Food safety is a great concern, especially in Western countries where consuming crickets and other insects are not typically practised.
Both Sydney personal trainers, Yoo and Ranieri had their qualms initially. Yoo was served crickets and other exotic dishes when she was a little girl in South Korea, but of course, that was a long time ago.
In their search for more environmentally-friendly food options, they discovered that crickets could be taken in powder form. It does not cut the health benefits while still being a sustainable food source.
But what do they taste like?
According to the pair, they surprisingly are similar to prawns. They even claim that crickets can be on the same level as premium delicacies such as caviar and truffles.
The couple’s main motivations for changing their diets to include alternative but sustainable food sources are climate change and health issues. They have coined the term ‘climate diet’ to describe how they eat.
While both Yoo and Ranieri already lead healthy lifestyles, they say that they are on a continuous journey of improving their diet.
Crickets are part of the traditional cuisine in many Asian and African cultures. Source: Shutterstock
Yoo explains, ‘It’s now more important to adopt a resilient diet in the face of climate change.’
There are many benefits to the consumption of crickets. Besides being rich in protein, they are also a great source of other nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
According to research cited on Healthline, edible crickets are even higher in iron and riboflavin content than beef and chicken. They are also considered generally good for the gut.
Insect farming also leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
But you shouldn’t be so quick in buying from the first cricket supplier you can find!
Health experts warn that you should only get yours from trusted sources to avoid pathogen contamination.
If you want to try it out, Yoo and Ranieri have founded Human Food Odyssey. The home delivery service offers meals with crickets, complete with packaging free from plastic. You can also buy cricket protein powder from Woolworths, however, they appear to be out of stock right now!
Would you be curious to try out edible insects for dinner? Let us know what you think through the comments!