Human Improvement

Sustainable protein powder made from a unique, all-natural ingredient.

About Human Improvement

Protein powders have become a staple in our recipes and daily routines, but we often don’t know what’s actually in the powder we’re adding to our shakes and muffins. Not to mention, you can taste the chalky flavoring regardless of the other ingredients you put in to cover it up.hi! is here to change that by creating all-natural, sustainably made protein powder that is better for your digestion and actually tastes good. hi!’s secret? Cricket-powder, a sustainable micro-protein that combines with other natural ingredients to give you the fuel you need. And trust us, you’ll never taste the crickets, but your body will feel much better.

Why We Love Them

While using crickets to make protein powder may turn heads at first, it’s actually much better for humans and the environment than other powders and supplements that we put in our bodies daily.

Origin Story

Created by Derek McCarty and Josh Campbell, hi!, which stands for Human Improvement, came to be from a shared dislike of the protein powder scene as it was. While they used protein powder in their recipes, both McCarty and Campbell were sick of reaching their hands into big plastic tubs filled with artificial ingredients that didn’t taste good. They decided to reimagine the protein powder experience from beginning to end, specifically focusing on incorporating all-natural and innovative ingredients that could be sustainably sourced. And boy, did they do so.McCarty and Campbell searched for the best proteins available and stumbled on a micro-protein source that was not often used; crickets. As they learned more and more about the micro-protein that over 2 billion people across the world eat regularly, they realized this was exactly the protein source their powder needed. So, McCarty and Campbell created hi!’s protein powder in two flavors out of 13 all-natural organic ingredients, including cricket powder. Since hi! launched in early 2020, consumers have been quick to take a chance on cricket-powder due to its great taste, natural benefits, and sustainability focus. hi! believes that the cricket protein movement is just beginning, and they are excited to sing its praises.

The TL;DR

  • Made out of 13 purposely chosen, better for the planet, nutrient-packed ingredients including cricket powder, the most sustainable microprotein available
  • Sells two, great-tasting flavors, chocolate and vanilla (and there's no chalky texture)
  • Keto-friendly, no added sugar, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly
  • Uses 90% less plastic than traditional protein powder companies that use plastic tubs
  • Their Museum of Smoothies gives you fun and healthy recipe ideas to make with your hi! protein

The Science & The Soul

The Science

Human Improvement set out to fix one of the main problems many people have with protein powder - BLOATING. After testing hundreds of different protein formulations, they landed on a blend of organic pumpkin protein, pea protein, brown rice protein and cricket protein. Yes, you read that right. Cricket protein is high in fiber and prebiotics and is not only easy to digest but research shows it may actually help boost gut-health. Add to that psyllium husk and flaxseed, two gut-health boosting superfoods that many people already add to their smoothies and you have the easiest to digest, non bloating protein powder on the market. Human Improvement also removed all the gums, fillers, added sugars, and artificial ingredients that are in many other protein powders and cause gut irritation making Human Improvement’s protein powders some of the cleanest protein supplements in the world.

The Soul

Cricket protein is one of the most sustainable and nutritious protein sources on earth. Not only is it a complete protein that is high in B12, iron, and prebiotics but it also requires a fraction of the resources used by traditional animal protein sources. In fact, crickets emit 99.9% less greenhouse gases, use 90% less water, and 93% less land than livestock to produce the same amount of protein.


Human Improvement also completely rethought the format of protein powder packaging with sustainability in mind. They did away with the clunky, half-empty plastic tubs and scoops. By switching to a first of its kind recyclable plastic film, each box of Human Improvement uses 90% less plastic. Switching from a plastic tub to Human Improvement’s packaging actually saves the equivalent of 844 plastic water bottles a year.


Whether you are a protein powder veteran or someone looking to add a little more protein to their diet, Human Improvement is the most sustainable, cleanest and easiest to digest option out there. Try something new and embrace “a better way to protein.”