Bug bites: A woman's unexpected discovery for healthier living
Are you feeling uninspired by your meal prep routine, relying on the same old chicken, beef, and pork week after week?
Elmira Tanatarova understands the struggle. Living in London, she craved a change that would not only tantalise her taste buds but also boost her health. Enter cricket mince meat—an unexpected solution to her culinary boredom with surprising health perks.
Should Aussies consider biting into all this buzzing hype?
‘I'd always been curious about trying insects as food,’ Elmira explains. ‘After all, if I can eat a pig, why not a fly?’
Her curiosity led her to sample the latest creation from STOCKED, a meal prep brand that teamed up with insect-food company Yum Bug to create a 'Chilli con Cricket' meal. This innovative dish replaces traditional beef with cricket mince, offering a protein-packed alternative that's also more sustainable.
Soft Tacos with a little extra crunch. Image Source: Shutterstock / Marcos Castillo
‘The rich, slow-cooked chilli is packed with smoky chipotle peppers, warming spices, and black beans,’ Elmira describes.
‘And let me tell you, it tastes just like the real thing.’ She even went as far as to say that she was ‘downright underwhelmed and bored by how regular the concoction tasted’.
Preparing the meal was quick and easy for her, too. STOCKED provides frozen, portioned-out cubes that can be simmered in a covered pan for just 12 minutes.
‘The food smelled absolutely delicious as it cooked,’ Elmira recalls. ‘And the end result was a satisfying meal that left me feeling incredibly full.’
Leo Taylor, CEO and Co-founder of Yum Bug, is passionate about promoting insects as a sustainable food source.
‘We're on a mission to show people that bugs are not only nutritious but also delicious,’ he says. ‘Our partnership with STOCKED allows people to try crickets at home in a convenient and tasty way.’
The benefits of incorporating insects into our diets go beyond just taste. According to Elmira, Yum Bug says its cricket mince has ‘up to 50 per cent more protein than beef for 15 times less CO2’. This means not only a healthier option but also a more environmentally friendly one.
Crickets contain two to three times more complete protein than a beef steak on the same weight basis. Image Source: Pexels / Roman Odintsov
However, despite the potential benefits, some people are still hesitant to embrace insect-based foods.
A survey found that seven in ten people are unwilling to try insects, citing concerns about safety and taste preferences.
But for Elmira, trying cricket mince was a pleasant surprise. ‘It tasted just like a regular meat wrap,’ she says. ‘And now I'm open to trying even more insect-based dishes.’
Elmira isn’t the only one that stands to benefit from adding a little insect-based crunch to their diet.
As we age, our nutritional needs change, and finding sources of lean protein that are easy to digest becomes more important. Insect protein is not only high in quality protein but also contains essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for maintaining health in older adults.
Furthermore, the fatty acids in insects, such as omega-3s, contribute to cognitive health, which is crucial for maintaining brain function as we age. The chitin found in insect exoskeletons has also been studied for its potential prebiotic properties, which could support gut health—a key factor in overall wellness for seniors.
Incorporating insect protein into the diet can be a smart move for seniors looking to optimise their nutrient intake. Whether it's adding cricket powder to a morning smoothie or enjoying a mealworm stir-fry, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the health benefits of this superfood.
We know that there are more than a few health bugs among our readers! What do you think about integrating insects into our diets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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it’s the path we’ll go down eventually anyway.
