Yummy! FAO Says Eat More Insects to be Environmentally Friendly and Healthy

An announcement has come just as a swarm of cicadas emerge all along the East Coast of the United States. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, insects are an underutilized food source for people, livestock and pets--and could be used to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution.

Insects are, in fact, the super food of the natural world. They're high in protein, good fats and calcium, and can easily be harvested. In fact, a new study launched by the FAO shows that insects form part of the traditional diets of at least two billion people, and at least 1900 insect species have been documented as being edible. In addition, insect gathering and farming can offer employment and cash income.

It's not just that they're healthy, though, they're also environmentally friendly. Insects emit considerably fewer greenhouse gases than most livestock. They're also not as land intensive and are very efficient at converting feed into protein due to the fact that they're cold blooded; crickets, for example, need 12 times less feed than cattle, four times less feed than sheep and half as much feed as pigs and broiler chickens to produce the same amount of protein.

"We are not saying that people should be eating bugs," said Eva Muller, Director of FAO's Forest Economic Policy and Products Division in an interview with Reuters. "We are saying that insects are just one resource provided by forests, and insects are pretty much untapped for their potential for food, and especially for feed."

So why don't we eat more bugs? Many cultures actually already do eat insects. However, legislation in most industrialized nations actually prevents large scale insect production for food purposes. Insects usually feed on waste materials, such as slurry or swill. Yet laws prevent the actual feeding of these materials to creatures that are being used for human consumption. In addition, actually using insects in food for human consumption is also regulated and prevented in some countries.

It's not just regulations, though. Most people just don't like the idea of munching on a cockroach or grasshopper. Society has labeled many insects as pests and as creatures to be avoided at all costs. Because of this, many are wary of actually eating them.

Nonetheless, the study authors remain hopeful that insects could be used as a sustainable source of food in the future. "The private sector is ready to invest in insect farming. We have large opportunities before us," said Paul Vantomme, one of the authors of the report, in an interview with Reuters. "But until there is clarity in the legal sphere, no major business is going to take the risk to invest funds when the laws remain unclear or actually hinder development of this new sector."

Are you interested in eating bugs? The 17-year cicada brood is emerging along the East Coast, and it's the perfect time to try some insects. To learn how to prepare and harvest cicadas, check out the recipes here.