Insects that are edible for eating

Open Your Mind, and Your Mouth

It may sound crazy, but as my role as dietitian, I need to share all updated news with you. Some insects are beneficial for your health and they are loaded with protein, vitamins and minerals.

Crickets

They are god source of iron, B12 and protein. You can ground them into powder and add them to protein shakes and flour.

Grasshoppers

They are high in protein and in Mexico they are served toasted in oil in addition to garlic, lemon and salt.

Termites

They are rich in protein, fatty acids, and other micronutrients, termites also have iron and calcium. They’re served fried, smoked, or sun-dried.

Ants

The larvae and pupae of the weaver ant are a good source of protein and they have a lemony and citrusy flavour.

Bees

The larvae is normally served as food and it is good source of B vitamins, and other nutrients. Australian aborigines use stingless bees as a source of sugar.

Beetles

The adult H. parallela is rich in protein and several vitamins and minerals. They can be dry roasted or used in recipes (with the head, arms, and legs removed).

Mealworms

These insects have lots of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals like copper, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, and selenium. They can be eaten raw but are most often served dry-roasted or ground up and added to flour.

Flies

They are rich in protein and they are used to enrich baked goods like crackers and muffins, as well as meat products like sausage and meatloaf. They also can be eaten roasted or sun-dried.

Caterpillars

They are rich in protein where one of the most common ways to serve them is fried or braised, seasoned with a spicy sauce, and wrapped in a tortilla. They also can be found at the bottom of a bottle of mescal tequila.

Stink Bugs

They are rich in fatty acids, flavonoids (chemicals that help fight inflammation), and amino acids. They also can be rich in minerals like iron, potassium, and phosphorus.

In southern Africa, they’re soaked in lukewarm water to release their toxins, then sundried, washed, and cooked in warm water and salt.

Giant Water Bug

You can eat them whole or crushed, ground, and added to chili paste.

A Word of Caution

Finally you will not go to the harvest and pick your own collection no you are not in the grocery shopping, these insects need to be processed and stored the right way. After this process, you can cook them as they are food.

For example, stink bugs need to be soaked in warm water, never hot, because hot water will instantly kill the bugs and keep them from getting rid of their toxins.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-bugs-you-can-eat?ecd=wnl_spr_030919&ctr=wnl-spr-030919_nsl-LeadModule_cta&mb=7C%2fZ0gm1tubgq%40zjtKE%40Ong0WleHxvIq%40XwZdsn%2f83I%3d

https://www.crunchycritters.com/shop/buy-edible-insects/cricket-flour-100-grams/