I feed my aro lots of superworms. The worms are fed with hikari food sticks, so i guess the nutrients get passed on that way. Also feed on occasion frozen shrimp, and freeze-dried shrimp.
I think you're buying your crickets at the wrong place.. i'm getting 20 for $1 and complaining about that.. i'm about to start raising my own. we have 2 big lizards and 4 big fish that think they are candy..