You Might Want To Consider Adding Insects To Your Diet

Some reality shows make you eat crazy things to win money. Eating insects might be something you should add to your regular diet.

Most of us view eating insects as an act of desperation. Do you really want to find out if a cricket is crunchy or a grasshopper tastes like chicken? While dining on bugs is not an appetizing thought, insects are a sustainable alternative protein source with nutritional benefits that can't be ignored, insists Dr. John Coupland, a professor of food science at Penn State University.

What's for dinner? Seven reasons to eat insects:

1. High in protein
A cricket is 65 percent protein, compared to the 50 percent found in beef.

2. High in nutrients
Insect protein contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

3. Low in fat
Many insect species have less than 5 grams of fat per serving.

4. Good for the environment
Insect farming can be a more sustainable practice because insects don't need much space, can live under all sorts of conditions and are easy to feed.

5. Can be eaten a variety of ways
Insects can be pan-fried, boiled, sauteed, roasted or baked with a bit of oil and salt. They can also be made into flour and used for bars, breads, crackers and cookies.

6. Abundant
Some parts of the world have over 300 species of insects. There is something for everyone!

7. Taste great
People describe the taste of insects as nutty with a similar flavor to shrimp and chicken. Grasshoppers, ant eggs and wasps are considered a delicacy in several countries.

[via: Dr. John Coupland]

What would it take for you to eat insects?