I'm wondering why more people don't eat insects in western countries. They are really high in protein compared to most meats - mealworms are 53% protein, chicken is 18%. Many of them are sold dehydrated so don't need to be kept in the fridge. They are more sustainable and need less resources to farm. Less animal welfare concerns for many people - we don't think of insects in the same way as we do cows or pigs. But, I have not seen many insect farms, or recipes, or seen them in shops apart from some Asian stores. So, why don't we eat them, is it just the 'ugh' factor?

Why don't people eat insects?

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

I'm wondering why more people don't eat insects in western countries.

They are really high in protein compared to most meats - mealworms are 53% protein, chicken is 18%.
Many of them are sold dehydrated so don't need to be kept in the fridge.
They are more sustainable and need less resources to farm.
Less animal welfare concerns for many people - we don't think of insects in the same way as we do cows or pigs.

But, I have not seen many insect farms, or recipes, or seen them in shops apart from some Asian stores.

So, why don't we eat them, is it just the 'ugh' factor?

Ash

I'm sure there are a lot of benefits to eating insects and it would be a lot better for the environment if we did but I could never, ever, eat them. They're disgusting and I could never put one in my mouth willingly.

Girl-from-Mars

Ash They're disgusting and I could never put one in my mouth willingly.

Me too! I know there is nothing wrong with it and that they are probably good and maybe even taste good but no I can not put that into my mouth.

John

Ash and Girl-from-Mars

If they were in a burger or sausage or something and not recognisable by sight as insects, would it make a difference?

Piri

Maybe we don't eat it as 'full body look', but it is quite common to find with the super foods as a powder.

In Lithuania I know at least one company which makes crickets powder - flour. In Denmark they have a farm where they dry some kinds and adds some flavours.

I believe if we would look up in the internet we would find quite a bunch of farms.

Actually originally red velvet cake is made with some insects powder.

Ash

That, I probably wouldn't have a big problem with. I guess with products like that, you can sort of just forget the insect aspect and eat it. A lot harder when you're trying to gulp down an actual insect 😆

John

Most of the times that I have eaten them they have been either dehydrated or fried, so kind of crunchy either way and not so recognisable as insects really.

The only insects I have eaten that still looked like themselves were ants, which were also crunchy and didn't taste of anything much.

Žaklīna

I do not eat meat and feel that insects should be counted as meat so not for me.

Not so sure though how people count them, they are different from other 'animals'.

Vilte

John If they were in a burger or sausage or something and not recognisable by sight as insects, would it make a difference?

I think you are exactly right here, if you put them in a blind test and people didn't know what they are then they wouldn't have any issue with eating them.

Girl-from-Mars

John If they were in a burger or sausage or something and not recognisable by sight as insects, would it make a difference?

Only if I did not know they were there. If I knew what it was made of it would not matter if I could see them or not, and I do not normally eat things unless I know what is in them.

Ash

John

Not a huge difference for me because the moment I find out it has insects, I would be weirded out. I'm not sure I'm even in a position to try it out to see what it is like because I just hate the idea of it.

Vilte

I would be willing to give them a go once for curiosity sake.

Normally I don't eat meat and I am happy with my diet so I wouldn't want to make any bigger changes just to include insects.

Arvīds

It is just an 'eug' thing, in a lot of places in South America and Asia they eat the bugs with no problem and prepared in many different ways.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

I guess that's a pretty clear answer from everyone here then. It is the 'ugh' factor for sure 😆

So Veli

I'm vegan and I would say that an insect is meat.

They are also disgusting as well. 🤮

Kyllikki

For sure it is the icky factor. I try to avoid the insects as much as possible wherever they are, they creep me out.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

What is it that you all find so disgusting about insects, most of them are quite useful and I think they are also kind of fascinating?

Except for cockroaches, there is something truly horrible about them, I don't know what it is but I can't stand them!

John

Julie Brooks-Girskiene Except for cockroaches, there is something truly horrible about them, I don't know what it is but I can't stand them!

They don't look nearly as bad when they have all of the legs and other bits removed and are cooked.

Ash

John

Looks like a slightly thicker cocktail sausage actually 😆

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