Top 5 Reasons Why Eating Insects is Better for Us

Entomophagy or the practice of eating insects and related arthropods is a topic that always generates lively discussions regardless of the composition of my audience. Why does eating bugs create such a stir? Insects as food fascinate people because of the perceived novelty, particularly to western or westernized cultures that do not consider these tiny creatures edible. The good thing is that the once thought of repugnant idea of humans feeding on insects is now slowly gaining ground into the mainstream popular culture with educational institutions, businesses and various groups or organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, leading the campaign to disseminate useful information through the internet and traditional mass media.

As an entomologist, I have always viewed the movement to promote the inclusion of insects in the human diet as most logical in many respects. Culturally, recognizing that insects are naturally part of non-western cultures’ diet for ages is already a step towards better understanding and acceptance of the fact that western food preference is not the only correct way to eat. From the economic point of view, eating insects make sense as it can potentially alleviate hunger or help address the possible shortage in food supply in the future. As most edible insects are primary consumers or herbivores that can convert energy from plants more efficiently than traditional livestock, entomophagy also makes more ecological sense.

To elaborate more on these, here are the top five reasons why it is better for us to include insects in our diet:

“A termite a day may keep the doctor away”

A recently published study comparing diets of African and European children found out that children in rural Burkina Faso have gut bacteria that help them digest plant fibers and protect them from diarrhea and inflammatory gut diseases such as Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disorder. These children eat high-fiber, low-fat diet that sometimes includes termites, which is a traditional food.

In contrast, Italian children eat foods typical of a Western diet that is high in animal protein, sugar and fat, and low in fiber, which together with improved sanitation helped lower the amount of exposure to microbes that may have led to autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and allergies.

These findings not only highlighted the importance of the often ignored gut flora that aids in digestion, but also points to the fact that insects in non-Western traditional diet contributes more than just protein and minerals to our body (see reason # 2 below). Read more details about this intriguing study by following this link.

“Father you have to give me some milee caterpillars. ...Look at all the other children with milee caterpillars that their fathers gave them. ...I'm going to bother you until you give me some”  – verses in a children’s song in Zaire (Muyay, 1981)

Insects are very high in crude protein ranging above 60% in common species found in village markets in the developing world. They also have been found to be as good as or better protein source than soy in separate studies using rats and chickens as test subjects. However, insects fall short as protein source when compared to traditional livestock products because of the indigestibility of chitin, the main component of the insects’ exoskeleton.

If we compare crickets to beef, the latter contains about twice as much protein per gram (12.9 vs. 23.5 grams per 100 grams). However, take note that beef also contains more than twice the calories (121 vs. 288.2 calories per 100 grams) and almost four times the fat (5.5 vs. 21.2 grams per 100 grams) compared to crickets. Therefore, in a healthier and much preferred high-protein, low-fat diet, insects are a better alternative to beef!

Other constituents of crickets include (per 100 grams): 5.1 g. carbohydrates, 75.8 mg. calcium, 9.5 mg. iron, 3.10 mg. niacin, 1.09 mg. riboflavin, 185.3 mg. phosphorous, and 0.36 mg. thiamine. Of particular significance is iron in edible insects that may alleviate iron deficiency that is prevalent in women’s diet in certain developing countries. Also of interest to vegetarians is that certain insects may be an acceptable supplement to their diet that is often deficient in zinc.

As for chitin, it is not all bad. Since it is a carbohydrate polymer, insects may be able to contribute to modern food as fiber source. In fact, Japan has approved the use of chitin from shells of crabs and other crustaceans, which are arthropods and thus are relatives of insects, as source of fiber and calcium in cereals. Since insects are more numerous, readily available and easier to produce (see reason #3 below) than crustaceans, there is much potential in producing insects for food. Many species are now being reared as food for fish, reptile and bird pets so the technology is already available for small entrepreneurs.

“Two-legged creatures we are supposed to love as we love ourselves.  The four-legged, also, can come to seem pretty important.  But six legs are too many from the human standpoint.”  -Joseph W. Krutch

Aside from the fact that insects are the most diverse group on earth, they dominate in terms of number of species and relative abundance. In fact, their sheer numbers, owing to the fact that they reproduce fast given the right conditions, have made them “pests” in various endeavors of man, especially in agriculture.

Well why not use this fact to man’s advantage and collect or “farm” insects instead. Many of the edible insects traditionally included in non-western diet are abundant in the area where they are delicacies. They are often collected in the wild, but can be easily reared to ensure that they are not contaminated with pesticides and other toxic elements (see reason # 4 below).

Due to their greater efficiency in converting energy from plants to body mass than conventional livestock species, plus the fact that many species can feed on plant parts not utilized or food that are already considered waste by humans, then producing them for food also means efficient use of resources. Think of sericulture or raising silkworm to produce silk that’s been around for thousands of years or mealworm culture for food of pets like Arowanas, geckos and parrots that has been lucrative business for small entrepreneurs. Together with information in Entomology laboratories worldwide that rear insects for experiments, adequate knowledge is available to venture into mass producing a variety of insects for food. This would not only improve western diet for health (see reasons #1 and #2 above) or epicurean (see reason #5 below) purposes, but also a way to address food problems in certain regions.

Another often overlooked benefit is that resources besides cereals and legumes that could be consumed directly by humans instead of feeding them to cows is that structures, spaces and equipment required in livestock production are minimized, thus creating a more sustainable food production system. Such system also empowers people without much resource by making it possible for them to produce food for the family or community and even venture into a small business for profit thus improving their lives through self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

“If you can't beat ‘em, eat ‘em!”

Our wars against insect pests is a never ending cycle of strike and counter strike if man does not head the lessons of the past and continues to ignore the fact that insects and other so-called pests are part of the system. As such, we must learn more about the system and adjust accordingly in a more sustainable manner.

Entomophagy has been adopted by environmental movements because of the reasons cited above, specifically:

• Sustainable and efficient food production
• Improved diversity in food and its positive impact on health, and also
• Possible impact of the movement towards eating insects that are traditionally collected in the wild in reducing our dependence to insecticides in agriculture because of the fear of contamination

The use of pesticides in agriculture have come a long way from the initial calendar-based, “trigger-happy” spraying of broad-spectrum and highly persistent pesticides during the era of DDT to a more monitoring-based application of selective and less persistent chemicals, at times botanical in origin, targeting specific pests at the right time using the concept of Integrated Pest Management or IPM. However, there is still much room for improvement to further reduce the negative impact and entomophagy might provide another reason to shy away from introducing toxic elements in the environment.

“All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you. There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest.” -Leviticus 11

After learning about the above enumerated reasons, who would not be enticed to at least try a chocolate covered grasshopper or chocolate chirp cookie? Maybe those with allergies to shrimps (as they are related) or those with the faintest of heart (or stomach), but they would be missing on an exotic epicurean experience expected of someone being introduced to a new culture or to a new place.

Accepting and supporting other’s way of life is a fine teaching and attitude to build on our children. I am glad that there are signs that western kids are more accepting of (and adventurous enough to try) this new trend. Like any change or learning something new, one has to go beyond one’s comfort zone and to get over the initial discomfort. Often it’s the strong enough desire for change or to learn that sustains the drive beyond the discomfort. I hope these top five reasons why eating insects is better for us are motivation enough to compel you to at least support the movement.

Below are resources and recipes that we can use to spice up the conservative palate among us or to indulge in for the more adventurous types.