Edible Bugs

Edible Bugs

Bugs: Yuck or Yum? Years ago, Japanese restaurants in the United States introduced people to sushi (SOO-shee). These dishes, made of rice and raw seafood, made many people think yuck. Today, sushi is sold all over the country-even in supermarkets. Another kind of food is now starting to show up in the United States-insects. While the thought of eating bugs makes some people uncomfortable, others are starting to give insects a try. Maybe someday we'll see fried grasshoppers on our shelves!

Good-For-You Foods People all around the world have been eating insects for thousands of years- and with good reason. Many insects are good for people's health. In some parts of the world, people don't have many different kinds of foods. It may be difficult for them to get the nutrients they need.

Insects have large amounts of protein. For example, 100 grams of grasshopper has around 20 grams of protein and only 6 grams of fat. That's only 6 grams of protein less than the same amount of beef. Termites and some caterpillars are also great sources of iron, and crickets are high in calcium. Other insects, such as termite and ant queens, have large amounts of healthy calories. People in some places may need these calories and nutrients to survive.

Eating insects is also good for the planet. A large insect farm creates about ten times less harmful waste than a cattle ranch. It also takes up a much smaller amount of space. Although people eat insects in many places, it is still not very common. However, it is more common in these places than in the United States.

Bugs Served Around the World Thailand In Thailand, some outdoor stands sell crispy, fried water bugs. People add sauce just as we might put mustard or ketchup on a hot dog. Other people snack on grasshoppers and bamboo worms. China Water bugs boiled in a special sauce can be found in some restaurants in China. The bugs and sauce are served over rice. When the weather gets chilly, some people have a steaming bowl of ant soup.