Trend: Need protein? Try adding bugs to your diet

Instead of piling on the bacon, why not try a Bee-LT sandwich?

You can spice up your Wednesday night with waxworm tacos, surprise your guests with barbequed scorpion at your next cookout, or add a nice crunch to your mushroom risotto with a grasshopper garnish.

This last recipe debuted in “The Insect Cookbook’ ‘ written in Dutch ‘ launched last Tuesday in the Netherlands.  The book promotes insects as a healthy alternative that can be added to many of your daily foods ‘ chocolate worm cupcakes anyone?

Numerous studies have shown that insects are a sustainable answer to the food demands of our growing world population, a number that will hit 9 billion by 2050. Insects have a lower feed-to-meat ratio than livestock, and thus lower greenhouse gas emissions, making bugs a more environmentally friendly food source.

Need another reason to jump on the bug bandwagon? They’re high in protein!

Wageningen University entomologist Arnold van Huis told Science magazine that 100 grams of caterpillars can provide all of your daily recommended protein. According to Health Canada, this is 10-35 percent of the daily caloric intake for adults 19 and over, or 46 grams of protein for a 58 kg (128 lb) woman.

A classmate of mine once said that she would rather eat laboratory grown meat than take a bite out of a deep-fried spider. Although I haven’t had the opportunity yet, I’m open to the ‘bug diet’. Insects are delicacies in many countries after all, perhaps it’s a cultural anomaly we don’t eat them.

Would you eat bugs as a source of protein?

Related:
‘ Protein debate: How much protein do you really need and when?
‘ The 6 best sources of protein
‘ Food for thought: Would you ever eat bugs?

‘Amy Crofts, web intern