‘I save $200 a week by feeding my baby crickets and she loves eating them!’

“We first tried cricket cheese puffs, which were far less salty and have a fibrous finish... my daughter devoured them with delight!"

Alexandra Feiam

2 min read

April 26, 2023 - 9:36AM

CSIRO report on edible insects demonstrates the ‘wacky priorities’ in Canberra

Family Life

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Tiffany has tried food from all over the world - and she loves experimenting with something new.

So when her daughter was born, the Canadian wanted to keep the interest in unusual foods going to the next generation.

Not only does it save her money, but she says her daughter absolutely loves it.

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Tiffany's baby daughter "loves" eating crickets. Source: Tiffany Leigh

“My baby devoured the crickets with delight!”

The mum, who is a food writer, is no stranger to trying insects.

“I've tasted everything from fried tarantula legs to scorpion on a stick,” she explained. Other insects she enjoyed during her travels included crickets and ants.

Tiffany began adding protein into her 18-month-old daughter’s diet but quickly realised how expensive traditional options were.

So she decided to supplement chicken, pork and beef for crickets.

“We first tried cricket cheese puffs,” she told Insider, which look like regular Cheetos, but are “far less salty” and have a “fibrous finish” to them.

“My baby devoured them with delight and didn't notice the slight textural difference."

Her baby prefers to eat "hidden" cricket protein. Source: Tiffany Leigh

"I hid roasted crickets in my baby’s food"

She then decided to give her baby whole roasted crickets. While the insects are dried in a bag, it didn’t stop her daughter from reaching in and grabbing one for herself.

“Without hesitation, she took a bite - but promptly chucked the rest onto the floor,” she explained.

Realising that whole crickets weren’t successful, Tiffany began “hiding” the insects in other food, such as pancakes, and macaroni and cheese.

“She took a big bite and clamoured for more,” the proud mum described.

The mum began putting cricket protein powder in regular foods. Source: Tiffany Leigh

“I save $200 a week by feeding crickets to my baby”

Crickets and insects, despite their creepy appearance, are an excellent source of protein.

According to Healthline, cricket protein powder contains roughly 65 per cent protein, and some species contain all nine essential amino acids.

But, it’s not just the health benefits that interested Tiffany, but also affordability.

Since having a baby, the mum shared that spends roughly $250-300 extra for food per week.

However, once she started swapping out the meat products she saved more than expected.

“I've managed to cut my bill down to about $150 to $200 a week."

Tiffany will introduce other insects into her daughter's diet. Source: Instagram

“I have plans to add ants, grasshoppers and worms to our meals”

For Tiffany, crickets are just the beginning.

“I have plans to incorporate more edible insects into our meals, such as ants, grasshoppers, and worms,” she declared.

Tiffany’s diet choices have garnered a mixed response on Twitter.

Many wondered whether it was fair to feed an infant insects.

“Poor baby,” one person wrote.

“She is just being provocative for attention!” exclaimed another, who questioned the validity of her story.

But not everyone was slamming the creepy critter diet.

“I’ve tried insects and they are good,” one shared. “Can even be delicious if prepared correctly - no different than eating any other organic matter on this planet.”