You can try reptiworms. They are small, they can't escape, and they are a good substitute for crickets. You can just put them in a bowl and your beardie can munch on them. I hate crickets and reptiworms are fantastic. Even if you drop one they are not quick enough to get away. You can also mix them with your greens which should help them eat it even if they get a bite by accident

and just gradually lessen the amount you put in the greens and eventually they will eat them on their own. Dubia roaches are another good choice. They are high in protein and my beardie goes absolutely nuts for them. They come in all different sizes from tiny 1/4" to adults 1 1/2". Butterworms, silk worms, horn worms....there's lots to try and your right about meal worms, the chitin (hard shell) is very hard to digest. Once your beardie is 16" + you can try super worms too which are almost just like a giant meal worms. Good luck

let us know what you try and how it works....