Suggesting to eat insects in the diet, at first glance it can become an unpleasant recommendation and even in bad taste . However, insects as food are much more common than is believed in various parts of the world, especially in Asia. Today, we will put aside the taboo and we will talk to you about eating insects, to know if it is really healthy.
In what parts of the world is it common to eat insects?
As has just been mentioned, the taboo of including insects in food is usually seen especially in the western world (there are cases that can be considered as exceptions). For hundreds of years, in Asia, and other countries made up of the eastern part of our planet , insects have been consumed in a normal way in food .
Next, we will briefly tell you about some places in the world where it is customary to eat insects.
Asia
As is well known, Asia has been characterized as a continent where some countries consider insects as delicious delicacies . The clearest example can be found in China. This country offers its citizens and visitors a large number of insects to eat. Finding among these, butterflies, cockroaches, bees, among others.
Europe
There are several countries on the European continent where insects are usually included in the diet. Amsterdam for example, a country characterized by being at the forefront and breaking taboos , does so in all possible areas. This makes it possible to find in this fantastic place, foods such as buffalo worm-based chocolates.
It is said that some other Netherlands have also joined this initiative in Amsterdam, and have included dishes with insects, desserts such as cupcakes and even sauces made from them . It is not surprising that this alternative will soon continue to grow and displace conventional food in this part of the world.
America
Despite not being many, there are diverse countries in America, both in the North, as well as in the South and Central, that handle dishes with insects. A clear example is Mexico, which traditionally inherited the custom of eating both grasshoppers, as well as ahuatles.
On the other hand, in Colombia and other southern countries, there are usually communities where the inherited tradition of ingesting some types of ants, as well as beetles and other insects, is still practiced. This is because before colonization, the aborigines had this type of ‘menu’ in their diets.
It should be noted that the peoples that traditionally eat these insects are a minority. Generally speaking, there is usually a taboo on this topic in many South American countries.
Likewise, the United States is not far behind, also including insects in the diet in an avant-garde way. In this country, delicious crickets can be found for sale, which are accompanied by a fantastic chocolate coating.
Is eating insects really healthy?
As gross as the idea may seem, it has been concluded that eating insects can be healthy . However, you shouldn’t be concerned if this seems unusual or unappetizing to you. This is part of the taboo that many of us have grown up with.
However, by way of information we will mention some of the benefits of eating insects.
- They can provide your body with a large amount of nutrients, as well as proteins and vitamins.
- They are rich in both unsaturated acids, as well as amino acids.
- It is believed that they may contain minerals quite similar to those found in some types of meat.
- Substituting the consumption of conventional meat for that of insects, can have a positive effect on the environment.
Adverse effects of eating insects
Despite the benefits that consuming insects can bring, we cannot ignore its adverse effects. As mentioned through different means, to avoid any risk, insects must pass through different processing filters that make their consumption suitable for humans.
Otherwise, a scenario could arise where there may be complications at the microbiological level . This is why some European countries have not yet formally approved the consumption of insects.
Are insects the food of the future?
In view of all the properties that insects bring with them, and the benefits that their consumption can bring to the environment, it is possible that in the not too distant future, this will be a quite viable alternative . This is why it could be said that insects are probably the food of the future.
However, prior to this, all risk factors or adverse effects will have to be covered. This, in order to guarantee that its consumption is totally healthy.
