Which insect has more protein?

According to the United Nations Food Organization, a third of the world’s population already eats insects on a regular basis in their daily diet. Within that population there are elite athletes, because insects have as much protein as animal meat. Let’s see which insect has more protein per 100 grams.

Throughout this text we are going to name various common insects in our day to day and that could provide us with the extra protein we need to achieve our goals with training. And yes, there are pre and post workout protein powders that are made from insects. They are difficult to locate and have a higher price than the usual proteins, but we already know that we have that alternative.

In the West it is uncommon to eat insects, since it is usually something more typical of Asian countries. Today we are going to see what the insects that we have around us can bring us. Nor is it a plan to go eating the ants that we see at home or take a bite out of the chubby beetle that is always in coastal areas. But it is interesting to know the percentage of proteins that they can provide us.

It is convenient to only consume insects that are already dead, instead of eating them directly from the ground. Initially, those that are packaged have passed certain quality controls and health checks. However, the ones we find on the street are not very safe for human consumption. We do not recommend it under any circumstances.

Ants, wasps and beetles

Una avispa en una flor

The insects that provide the most protein per 100 grams are ants, wasps and beetles. For us it is not an appetizing meal, but rather it creates repulsion, but for the rest of the population “pecking” ants or worms, it is normal and they enjoy it.

In fact, in other cultures they are even used to make bread or pizza dough, in vegetable creams, in pastries, salads, and similar dishes. However, here in Spain, a fly lands on our food and it disgusts us.

100 grams of ants provide 77% protein , just like wasps. For example, crickets up to 69% protein if we eat 100 grams of crickets. The flour beetle, like the mealworm, provides us with up to 66% protein.

Insect-based protein powders now exist. These are obviously not vegan options, since insects do count as animals. If we want to try a different alternative to whey protein powders and the like, we can look for these from insects.

If we want to start consuming insects in our daily diet, we could first consult a dietitian nutritionist or an expert in insect feeding. Very important, always consume packaged insects that have passed health controls in Spain and Europe, to avoid risks to our health. And another key fact is to consume insects that are edible such as worms, ants, wasps, beetles, and the like, avoiding those that may contain poison.