Bugs As a Food Source

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Bugs As a Food Source

Bugs As a Food Source

The eating of bugs is something that has been around for centuries, although strange to the majority of us, others find bug eating a great cheap source of protein, a stable food, and even a delicacy.

Entomophagy is the term that is given to a human that consumes insects and it is estimated that almost half of the world’s population eat flying, biting or crawling insects. In some parts of the world, you can visit open-air markets specifically selling insects, such as in Thailand

When you go to the movies, the one thing everyone drools for in the western world is popcorn, however in South America; roasted ants are the way to go!

It is estimated that over 1,400 different types of insects are eaten by some 3,000 ethnic groups, these insects range from:

      • Butterflies
      • Moths
      • Beetles
      • Ants
      • Bees
      • Grasshoppers
      • Crickets
      • Cockroaches
      • Spiders
      • Termites
      • Cicadas
      • Dragonflies
      • Caterpillars
      • Insect Larvae, such as mealworms, worms, Witchetty Grubs just to name a few

From what I have been reading I have found there are some interesting Nutritional Values (listed below) in eating insects, although not enough to convince me to start eating them.

Many insect species are high in protein, low in fat, and seem to be healthier than meat products.

CRICKETS 

Calories: 121
Protein: 12.9 grams
Fat: 5.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 5.1 grams
Iron: 75.8 milligrams

CATERPILLAR

Calories: 370
Protein: 28.2 grams

WEEVIL 

Calories: 370
Protein: 6.7 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 grams

TERMITES 

Calories: 613
Protein: 14.2 grams
Carbohydrates: 0 grams

LARGE GRASSHOPPERS 

Calories from fat: 30
Protein: 14.3 grams
Fat: 3.3 grams
Carbohydrates: 3.9 grams

Did you know!!!

Scientists believe that unknowingly we all consume at least 1/2kg of insects each year!

Chocolate allergies have now been linked not to the chocolate, as individual testing of each component of chocolate came up negative, but to cockroach parts that have made their way into the chocolate. It is estimated that a minimum of 8 cockroach parts can be found in a chocolate bar, and are deemed safe to eat!

The national food standards say that anything less than 60 insects per 100 grams is considered safe!

Yes, my eyes are wide open too!!!!!

The majority of foods that we eat contain some kind of contaminant in it, cockroach parts & droppings in chocolate are almost impossible to avoid as the cockroach is indigenous to the cocoa bean. Other foods that are known to be affected are peanut butter, macaroni, fruit, cheese, popcorn, wheat and some cheeses!

Below is some information that was found on the FDA website which gives an indication of just how many insect components can be found in our everyday food…

Chocolate: 80 Insect Fragments
Canned Citrus Fruit Juice: 5 Fly Eggs or 1 Maggot
Canned Corn: 2 Insect Larvae
Ground Cinnamon: 800 Insect Fragments
Ground Pepper: 950 Insect Fragments
Macaroni and Other Noodle Products: 100 Insect Fragments
Mushrooms: 20 Maggots
Peanut Butter: 60 Insect Fragments
Flour: 150 Insect Fragments