A neglected protein-rich 'superfood' : LC Research/Media Forum : Active Low-Carber Forums

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Wed, Apr-21-21, 14:34

JLx

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Plan: High protein, lower fat
Stats: 000/000/145 Female 66

BF:276, 255 hi wts
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Location: Michigan U.P., USA

A neglected protein-rich 'superfood'

Quote:

Insects are a nutrition-dense source of protein embraced by much of the world. Why are some of us so squeamish about eating them?

The idea of biting into a burger made from crushed crickets or mixing mealworms into your fried rice may take a little getting used to. But even if the thought of eating insects turns your stomach now, bugs could – and some researchers say should – form an important part of our diet.

While the West might be unusually squeamish about insects, people have been eating them for thousands of years, and in many parts of the world the practice is commonplace. Around 2,000 insect species are eaten worldwide in countries across Asia, South America and Africa. In Thailand, heaped trays of crisp deep-fried grasshoppers are sold at markets and in Japan wasp larvae – eaten live – are a delicacy.

We're in the middle of a biodiversity mass extinction, we're in the middle of a climate crisis, and yet we somehow need to feed a growing population at the same time – Sarah Beynon
Yet in Europe, just 10% of people would be willing to replace meat with insects, according to a survey by the European Consumer Organisation. To some, this unwillingness to eat insects is a missed opportunity.

"Insects are a really important missing piece of the food system," says Virginia Emery, chief executive of Beta Hatch, a US start-up that creates livestock feed out of mealworms. "[They] are definitely a superfood. Super nutrient dense, just a whole lot of nutrition in a really small package."

Because of this, farmed insects could help tackle two of the world's biggest problems at once: food insecurity and the climate crisis.

Agriculture is the biggest driver of global biodiversity loss and a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Rearing livestock accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)....

Pretty interesting article but I admit to being one of those squeamish people. I know you can get "cricket flour" on Amazon but I was never tempted. And I'm sorry I clicked on the video for even a few seconds. Or that I took a closer look at the pic of that cake.