Who would have thought that common bugs like mealworms, crickets, caterpillars and ants are being treated as today's hottest trends in the food industry?
They're definitely not everyone's idea of a delectable breakfast or dinner. But the question still remains: Should these crawly creatures be included in the diet chart?
In order to answer that, let's a look at nutrition facts and other details.
Although insects are one of the most loathed creatures, they are rich in protein content, carbohydrates and fats.
For example, two tablespoons of cricket flour contains 55 calories and approximately 7 grams of protein, according to Yahoo. Additionally, cricket flour is also known to contain minerals like zinc and iron and vitamins like Vitamin B12.
Although the consumption of insects might seem common and part of the culture in certain countries, it's still fairly new in the United States.
Though just a recent hit in the market, due to the present culinary trends and habits, edible insects are already incorporated in granola bars, candies and even tortilla chips.
Some of the advantages of consuming insects include sustainable cultivation of specific insects, and sustainable development of an alternative food source. If compared to mainstream food sources like beef or chicken, insect farming has a much less negative impact on the environment.
Although there has been an increase in the interest of foods containing insect proteins, due to low supply and high demand, the cost of the food products is high.
Additionally, not all people would embrace the thought of consuming insects and the general reaction tends to go towards the negative when it comes to eating caterpillars and worms.
In conclusion, edible insects and food products containing insect protein will soon be flooding the market in mass quantities. However, considering the ingredients of the food and how the general public think about consuming these bugs, it's safe to say that these exotic delicacies and special food products will only appeal to specific consumers who may have eaten a few in the past and found it exciting to the palate, or willing to try a few pieces of granola bars with insects.
What do you think of this food trend? Let us know in the comments section below.
