Hi! Protein Review: The Flavorful Cricket Protein Powder

Price: $59.99

Hi! Chocolate Protein Powder is a unique type of protein powder. They use sustainable cricket protein instead of the more traditional animal protein options. Each box comes with 20 individual servings. With only 12 ingredients, no gums or artificial sweeteners, this protein powder also helps with bloating. It’s easy to mix with both cold and hot liquids, for a delicious 22g of organic protein.

Hi! was formed in 2019 by two friends, Josh Campbell and Derek McCarty. Both had been in the trenches in the food industry for years, so they were no strangers to protein powder. But, they soon came to realize just what the traditional protein powders (primarily whey based) were doing to their bodies and the planet. They decided something had to give and they began researching better protein sources that were also sustainable.

As someone who has tried almost every protein powder on the market, I’m no stranger to how they taste and make me feel. But, I had never tried an insect based protein powder before. So, while I was a bit hesitant to try it the first time, I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger. After all, the health benefits touted about cricket protein far surpasses the traditional protein powder sources. So, I was excited to see if I felt any different when trying the Hi! cricket protein powder.

I bought both the Chocolate Protein Powder and the Vanilla Protein Powder. I tried the powders for a 2 week period of time and took one packet per day.

I tried out the chocolate flavor first and added in 8 ounces of unsweetened pea milk. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t have any strange taste or aftertaste at all. It actually tasted really good and the flavor was definitely chocolatey with no hint of artificiality.

But, the sweetness was a little overwhelming for me with the suggested 8 ounces of liquid, probably due to the stevia. I just decided to add more milk to see if that solved the problem and it was much better.

I generally have a bit of a sensitive stomach with protein powders, probably due to all of the artificial ingredients typically in them. But to my surprise I had no pain or bloating at all after consuming the whole packet. The one packet of cricket protein powder mixed with my plant based milk left me satisfied and full for several hours. Which, I have to say, is pretty darn impressive.

One thing to note is that I had a difficult time getting the powder to dissolve fully when stirring into cold liquid. I found using a blender with some fruit and cold plant based milk worked much better. And it was delicious too! When it comes to mixing it with hot liquids, it dissolves quite easily. So no issues there.

I worked in the vanilla flavor to the rotation and was equally impressed. It had a great taste, nice vanilla flavor, no aftertaste, no bloating, no discomfort, and just overall satisfaction. These protein powders will become my new go-to’s when I need to supplement.

Although Hi! Does not divulge where they source their crickets from or their other ingredients, the ingredient list seems to be pretty high quality. In both protein powders you will find:

• Organic cricket powder
• Organic pumpkin protein powder
• Organic brown rice powder
• Organic fermented yellow pea protein powder
• Psyllium husk powder
• Dairy free coconut milk
• Organic flaxseed
• Pink Himalayan sea salt
• Organic stevia
• Monk fruit extract
• MCT oil

The only difference between the two is whether it has natural vanilla flavor or cocoa powder and natural dark chocolate flavor. Either way, most of the ingredient list is organic, which is a huge plus in the quality department. And there aren’t any additives, gums, or ingredients you can’t pronounce. So, out of all of the protein powders I’ve run across to date, this one seems to be pretty spot on.

However, something to note is that neither of these powders are currently vegan or vegetarian friendly since they are cricket based. The company says that the crickets they use are all raised ethically and on an organic, vegan diet. So this may make their products more amenable to some who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. But for those who still can’t get on board, they are working on a vegan protein powder. So that’s something to keep an eye out for in the near future, hopefully.

If you’re someone who has been looking for a more robust protein powder that also sports a better protein source, then Hi! is probably what you’ve been looking for. The sustainably sourced cricket protein is not only a better protein source, but doesn’t taste any different than the other protein powders you’ve probably tried.

It doesn’t hurt that all of the ingredients in their protein powders serve multiple health boosting functions also, including:

• Improved gut health
• Muscle toning
• Energy boosts
• Reduces bloating Increases mood

Therefore, while their price point of approximately $2.25 per serving seems pretty steep, the health benefits alone are totally worth it. And when you consider how much their competitors are charging (between $3.00 - $3.30 per serving currently), this is a no brainer.

For any consumer considering delving into the land of insect based protein powder, there are bound to be a few more questions. Here is where we address some of the most common questions posed by consumers prior to purchasing Hi! cricket protein powder.

Overall, if you are looking for a cleaner and more sustainable way to boost your protein intake, then Hi! may be what you’ve been looking for. The two current flavor offerings are delicious, with no insect taste, and really satisfying. The ingredient list speaks for itself with these and it’s hard to get anything even close to this quality in the protein powder market.

While the price point may seem a bit steep for some consumers, when you take into account the quality of protein and other ingredients, it’s well worth it. And it doesn’t hurt that there is less packaging and waste with this product line. Plus the fact that their packets can be fully recycled just adds to the benefits they offer.