I read an NPR article the other day that has got me thinking—and you know what happens when I start thinking? I feel the need to share it with YOU. The article asked the question: Should we start considering insects as a viable option for protein? By we, I mean us here in the United States, because apparently, over 2 billion people worldwide already enjoy bugs for dinner. {I don’t even think that number includes the amount of people who eat bugs regularly on their bike rides.}
Here’s the pro’s to considering putting bugs on your plate:
- It’s economical {I mean, seriously, it would take backyard gardening to a whole new level} 😉
- They’re better for the environment {crickets aren’t really huge contributors to methane gas}
- They’re an untapped resource
- They use about 2 lbs of feed to produce 1 lb of meat, whereas cattle use 8 lbs of feed per lb of meat.
- They are nutritionally much more dense
- They would create jobs {read: bug farmers}
What about the cons?
- Food safety and how to regulate it
- Gross factor {hmm, this might be a biggie}
So I have to ask, what do you think, would you swap deep fried crickets for your hamburger?
~Mavis
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April Myers says
I would rather eat the cast offs from the produce section any day. I might be able to squish down a sardine if I had to. But eating bugs is like something out of Soilient Green or something.
KC Jones says
“SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!”
Tara says
We had Chapulines (or deep fried crickets) on our trip to Oaxaca several years ago. They were everywhere, on the tables instead of chips/salsa, in the market by the bagfull (separated by different sizes and spices), and in reality they were quite tasty. Even my squimish husband was eating them by mid-week.
Melissa W. says
I think I will stick to my non-GMO fed homegrown chickens 🙂
Madam Chow says
Not if I didn’t have to. Little known fact: bugs should not be eaten raw because they contain parasites.
Katie C. says
This is exactly why I’m a plant-based vegan. I don’t have to consider these things!!! 😉 I’d eat anything if I was starving, though.
Desi says
Only if I was starving and had no other option. yuck.
Rachel says
When you weigh it against global food security and sustainability, I would absolutely give it a try! In my experience if you prepare things the right way they can be delicious, sometimes you just have to try a lot of different methods…
Shell says
I once ate some chocolate covered ants.They didn’t taste like I thought they would. I have heard that Angelina Jolie has eaten cockroaches when she travels. I don’t like cockroaches period. They carry a lot of different diseases. I suppose in some countries people have to eat insects, as well as a lot of other things to survive. So I really can’t be judgemental of someone that doesn’t have the resources that most Americans do. I would absolutely have to be starving to eat some things. After studying microbiology for as long as I did when I was in college, (I have seen all that stuff under a microscope) I won’t eat rare or raw meat either, but some people do O.K. with it.
Shell says
By the way, crickets are good luck. If you kill one it is supposed to be very unlucky for you.
laura says
I’ve actually done a bit of reading on this, and you really shouldn’t eat ‘wild’ insects in developed countries, because of the pesticide residues. The ones that are still alive tend to have high residue levels. So you’d need to get farmed insects for your burger…or whatever. 🙂
Laura says
Like others have said, and I tell my kids when eating things comes up, “Not unless I have to.” That goes for a lot of things. Cute things like squirrels. Icky things like worms. Insects would be worse than worms for me! I like them fine, the “good guys” like mantises and lady bugs. But, even in high school I couldn’t handle insects. When we were supposed to dissect a grasshopper, I talked the teacher into letting me do a clam! I can’t take their eyes! Or crunchy shell!
Laura says
I thought of another big “con.” Cattle, sheep or chickens escaping are no biggie. Lose a bunch of grasshoppers or locusts, the grain crops would be destroyed!
Wendy says
I’d eat dirt before I’d eat an insect…..I would just probably throw it up anyway.
winfu says
I’ve had deep-fried popcorn bees… unnerving at first… but so was sushi. Tasted awesome. I say why not so long as they are cleaned and killed humanely. (Shudder to think they’d be rolled in batter live and then popped into boiling oil…)
Mavis Butterfield says
Ewwww on the rolled in batter alive. I never even thought of that.
Vicki says
Um, no. That is all.
stacy says
I’d consider it as a last resort.
DawnBarbie says
I love seafood! Seafood is just ocean bugs, but the thought of eating land bugs kinda grosses me out. That said, I’m usually willing to try just about anything… Haven’t had the “opportunity” to try land bugs. I suppose if the occasion presented itself, I would give it a go… It’s only land bugs, it’s only land bugs, it’s only land bugs
Kamiko says
i dont make judgements on other countries, because i believe GOD put those things in their path to keep them from starving, including cats and dogs which are on their restaurant menus. Since i am not starving, and do not live in a country which has a shortage of food, there is no GOD given reason a bug, cat, or dog should be on my plate or in my mouth. I would also eat weeds form my local park before i would eat bugs which have parasites and carry other nasty disease that could kill you and others. before i take that option, the president and his wife better put down their ribs/chicken/hotdogs/junk food and champagne/beer/soda before anyone says i need to put mine down! 😉