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Consuming insects is already an everyday practice for two billion people worldwide, largely in the global east and south. Rearing them uses less land, energy, water and produces fewer greenhouse gases than traditional meats like chicken and beef, and more of their body is digestible (80-100 percent, compared to only 40 percent for beef).
They are also better for us: they are rich in protein, fat, and energy and can be a significant source of vitamins and minerals. But the Western world has still not embraced this wonder food.
Researchers think they know why: the 'disgust' factor. Insects are gross. The more interesting question is: given the enormous benefits, how can we convince people to get over the grossness?
The article argues that eating sushi and lobster was once considered disgusting, too.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by ElizabethGreene on Thursday May 16 2019, @05:26PM (7 children)
I've eaten Crickets, ants, and Mealworms. I'm raising Hornworms now. These are a brilliant green herbivorous moth caterpillar that gets as big as your finger.
The former group all have chitin shells or exoskeletons, which can cause allergies in some people. They were palatable when cooked (breaded and fried, fried, and baked) but you have to manage the shells (e.g. grinding them) to make them a staple protein. I prefer a chunk of something I can stick a fork into, so that's why I'm playing with the latter now.
I intend to raise silkworms in the future, but I need a mulberry tree I can strip for leaves first. I moved away from my old one.
Why? Primarily, I'm food curious. I want to try something different.
(Score: 2) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Thursday May 16 2019, @06:06PM
Someday I want to try them. Preferably before being forced into it Blade Runner 2049 style.
This sig for rent.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Thursday May 16 2019, @10:33PM (5 children)
I grew mealworms for a while: baked some and ate some alive.
Baked, it's like popcorn. Alive, it is chew, chew, chew, chew, chew........it never seems to end, lol.
Growing mealworms takes more time than I have, though. Never got a large farm going. :(
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Friday May 17 2019, @04:37AM (4 children)
I catch fish with them. Fish are fun to catch and provide far more nutrients per worm than worms of any kind do. Unless you suck at fishing.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Friday May 17 2019, @05:00PM (3 children)
I love fresh caught fish.
Used to catch perch when I was a kid and eat them for breakfast.
Mouth orgasm.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by ElizabethGreene on Saturday May 18 2019, @02:31AM (2 children)
I used to grow those too, in an aquaponics system.
Here's a couple of hundred tilapia in my garage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRisPVav2BA [youtube.com]
I ate a lot of fish that year.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Saturday May 18 2019, @02:57AM (1 child)
Is that tadpoles you're feeding them?
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by ElizabethGreene on Saturday May 18 2019, @02:14PM
No, that was a commercial catfish grower ration. It was their staple food, with plant material as a supplement.