In a 2013 report, ‘Edible Insects: Future prospects for food & feeding Security’ by the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, estimated insects form part of the diet of, at least, 2 billion people around the world. They have estimated 1,900 species have been recorded as food. To make this more user friendly here are 5 facts to know about eating insects’
1. What are the most commonly eaten insects?
The FAO says that they include beetles, caterpillars, bees, wasps, ants, grasshoppers, locust, crickets, cicadas, leaf and plant hoppers, scale insects, true bugs, termites, dragonflies & flies, so quite a lot.
2. Are they nutritious?
The FAO states that insects are healthy, nutritious alternatives to other sources of protein. They are high in calcium, iron, zinc, good fats, and are low in calories.
3. Are they high in protein?
100gm of cricket flour contains 65gm of protein; whist 100gm of steak (uncooked) can contain less than 30 gm of protein.
4. How do you eat them?
Cooking insects are just as varied as you would find them, from the type that you want to eat to the way that you prepare them. From frying to backing, from cakes to soups they can go in anything. With most having a slight nutty taste that many people find agreeable.
You can cook them in a variety of ways but most people find the best way to ease themselves into entomophagy is with cricket power/flour. Cricket flour is ground roasted crickets that can be added into drinks, soups and sauces.
5. Are there any dangers to eating them?
The one thing I will say about eating insects is that many people who have allergies to seafood or shellfish will need to be a bit weary about them as it is common to react to both, the same goes for insect bite allergies. If you react to either proceed with caution.
Although they are gluten-free the grains that they are commonly fed are not, so people who have celiac disease may need to specify to feed them on greens not grains. Insects should ALLWAYS be cooked, this is for your safety and for the welfare of the animal.