With billions of people roaming the Earth, finding a food source large enough to satisfy everyone’s needs is getting harder and harder to do.
Some say that bugs may be the most logical choice for the future, as they are packed with nutrition and readily available to humans. In addition, breeding insects has other benefits; they do not produce as much waste as livestock and they are much easier to raise. And, once you get past the way they look, some bugs taste pretty good, too.
The following five insects are the most likely candidates for meals of the future.
Beetles
Several kinds of beetles, including the dung beetle and the june beetle, are already consumed by people around the world. They are particularly popular fare in the Amazon and in Africa, where they live in large populations among the trees and forests of the area. Beetles top the list of edible insects because they are packed with protein, and they taste particularly good when roasted.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are chock full of protein, iodine, iron and potassium. Because they emit a pretty strong odor when crushed, people in Africa, South America and Asia tend to roast them or soak them in water and then lay them in the sun to dry. Doing so helps eliminate the smell associated with the pest. It has even been reported that stink bugs have anesthetic properties, too, making them useful in more ways than one.
Termites
Termites can be cooked in a number of ways, and people in Africa and South America enjoy them whether them are smoked, steamed or fried. Termites contain quite a bit of protein, as well as iron, amino acids and even calcium, so they are .
Butterflies
When butterflies are in their larval and pupal stages, they not only taste great, but they are chock full of iron and protein. Consumed most often in Africa, they are particularly beneficial for pregnant women and children that are not getting all of the nutrients that they need. In addition, once boiled and dried, this form of food stays good for months at a time and does not need to be refrigerated. That makes it extremely convenient.
Mealworms
In the Netherlands, the mealworm beetle is often on the dinner menu. Filled with sodium, zinc, iron and copper, the larvae is popular in part because the climate in the Netherlands is perfect for the insect to thrive. Some have even likened the mealworm to beef, citing the fact that the two foods have similar levels of protein. However, mealworms may just edge out their competition, because they have more polyunsaturated fats and are therefore just a bit healthier.
While people in the Western World may find the idea of eating bugs to be a bit distasteful, doing so is common in other countries around the globe. Because they are packed with nutrients, and because breeding insects is easy on the environment, bugs may very well be the food of the future.
Nathan loves spending time with his family. He also enjoys being out in nature, but he doesn’t like it when the outside invades his living space. He uses a Los Angeles pest control company whenever any bug problems crop up.
