Bugging To Eat; Everything To Know About Entomophagy

Entomophagy Around The World

Eating insects are commonplace in many areas of the world, and nearly one-third of the world’s population includes insects into their diets. It is said entomophagy is more common in tropical climates. However, the argument is still up for debate. It has been noticed that bugs tend to grow larger in warmer climates and have a swarm mentality, which makes it easier to cultivate and eat them.

In Africa, markets in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, boast an abundance of edible caterpillars. The average household within Kinshasa consume 300 grams of caterpillars per week, and it has been estimated that 96 tonnes of caterpillars are consumed within the city each year. Insects are also included in a well-rounded diet in South Asia, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, the Pacific Islands, and Latin America. Over the past five years or so, entomophagy has begun to gain traction in some parts of Europe and North America.

Bugs are eaten all across the world, and the trend has been growing. So read further to discover the nutritional value of creepy crawlers.

What’s The Nutritional Value Of A Bug’s Life?

As we now know, bugs are filled with nutritional benefits, but the nutritional value of insects varies widely upon each species, their metamorphic stage, and their diet. It is common knowledge that bugs are filled with healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein, but how many bugs need to be devoured to reap these benefits?

For caloric energy content, insects range between eighty-nine and one thousand two hundred seventy-two kilocalories per hundred grams of dried insect matter. The percent of protein ranges between thirteen and seventy-seven percent, which converts to seven to forty-eight grams of protein per hundred grams, which is quite substantial.

You know that insects are loaded with nutrients, but continue reading to find out some potential risks of eating them.