Edible Insects And Their Health Benefits

Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers have become well known for their high protein content, but they are also a good source of calcium. Grasshoppers are incredibly easy to catch and around the world, a market has developed to meet demand. Most farmers allow simple traps to be set up on their land as grasshoppers are seen as pests to their crops. There is even a grasshopper-based protein bar on the market. Typically, grasshoppers are sold by the pound and can be prepared pan-fried or oven roasted. Most who regularly eat grasshoppers remove the legs and wings before eating as they can be a bit annoying as well as these parts hold no real nutritional value.

Maggots

While maggots are edible, it takes an individual with a strong stomach to be able to get past the fact they are maggots. Maggots have a bad reputation because of what they consume and how they digest their food. They have no internal digestive system of their own and must predigest anything that becomes their food, leaving meat and other food sources spoiled in their wake. Usually, maggots are eaten raw and will taste differently depending on what they are snacking on at the time. Maggots, however, are considered one of the original superfoods as they are extremely fatty and an excellent source of amino acids.