Nutritional benefits of insect protein

They are numerous!

Insects overall have high protein and healthy fat content. The amino acid profiles differ for each species, but many insects (like the ones we use) contain the essential amino acids that dogs need to maintain good health. Black soldier flies (BSF), the main component in our Farmed Insects recipe diet, contain all 10 essential amino acids that dogs must obtain from their diet (as they cannot produce them on their own). These are arginine, histidine, leucine, lysine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Protein content also differs significantly depending on the specific species, as well as the life stage that the insects are being harvested at. One study analyzed the amount of protein in a variety of insects and found that BSFs had protein content above 50%! That is a significantly high amount of protein relative to other animals, and shows just how protein-dense insects are.

BSFs have also been shown to contain several different types of lipids, including beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids like Omega-3s, as well as lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride that promotes cognitive health (also found in nutritionists-favourite coconut oil!) These are very important types of lipids that have beneficial effects throughout the body.

Finally, insects contain a more diverse and complete nutrient profile than conventional meats. Insects are a good source of important minerals such as calcium, which can promote bone and joint health. Their exoskeleton is also rich in chitin, a valuable fibre and prebiotic. The fact that our BSF meal contains the entire animal (with its exoskeleton, which would be comparable to using another animal's bones and cartilage in addition to the meat) helps to make that protein source stand out compared to conventional meats, which usually are limited to the animal's muscles. By doing so, we are maximizing the nutritional content of our food, while also reducing waste!