Insects as Snacks
Chances are if you’re a westerner reading this post, you cringe at the idea of eating insects as snacks. But if you’re from Southeast Asia or China, you may think nothing of it at all. In fact, you may be eating some crickets right now as you read this. Eating a variety of insects is pretty common in Asia, and it’s about time that the practice found its way to the western world.

Yummy insects ready for eating
There are several insects that tend to be the most popular, namely crickets, silk worms, bamboo worms and beetles. Most of the bugs are stir-fried with salt and chilies until they are crispy. The smaller bugs are simply eaten like popcorn – you just pop them into your mouth, crunch a bit, and then swallow. Most of the flavor is from the seasoning, but all of the nutrients are from the insects.
More Protein Than Beef
Despite the fact that most westerners are uncomfortable with the idea of eating insects, they are actually very high in protein. In fact, about 65% of a cricket’s body weight contains protein. That’s about twice as much as beef, and far more sustainable. And crickets produce considerably less greenhouse gases.

Smooth as silk (worms)

Scorpions, seahorses and starfish (ok, not all insects)
Ready to hop in?
Are you interested in jumping in head first (or thorax first?) into the edible insect market? Here’s two companies that are already producing food with cricket meal as part of the ingredients:
Cricket Pasta – Bugsolutely
Protein Bars and Powders – Earthproof Protein
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