Attention Westerners: Bugs Advised

Attention Westerners: Bugs Advised

March 7, 2014 • Blog, Health

There’s a new growing movement that’s advising Westerners to seek alternative methods to acquire their daily protein. Some - likely many - are going to scrunch their faces in disgust at the suggestion of eating insects.

Yes, on some level the idea is disgusting, but the argument behind it is sound. First and foremost, raising traditional sources of protein such as chicken and cow has a heavy impact on the environment while insects have substantially less. Secondly, entomorphagy is an excellent and natural source of protein and more importantly, it’s a good source of amino acids (the building blocks of protein).

Strictly speaking, it is easier and quicker for insects to gain the appropriate weight in order to be brought to market. Plus they give off significantly less carbon monoxide, ammonia
and methane gasses, making their impact on the environment a great deal less damaging.

Moreover, different insects provide a plethora of varying nutritional value such as iron, magnesium and zinc. Termites, for instance, are particularly rich in oleochemical acids, which is typically found in olive oil. The calorie count is also relatively low, with 160 calories per 100 grams of home-grown Canadian grasshoppers.

It may not be a way of diet for everyone but it’s certainly a healthy alternative. And maybe if enough people hop onboard it may become socially acceptable, although we’ll probably have to wait until a number of celebrities consume handfuls of critters before we see more people indulging in entomorphagy.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/life/health/blog.html?b=life.nationalpost.com/2014/03/03/jennifer-sygo-are-you-ready-to-eat-bugs-get-past-the-creep-and-crawl-factor-because-insects-are-a-great-way-to-get-protein-and-healthy-fats&pubdate=2014-03-06

bugs enviromentally friendly health insects