A bowl of grasshoppers provides many healthy nutrients. Moreover, such a dish is better for the environment than a steak.
In all parts of the world, except Europe and North America, people often eat insects. This varies from a bag of fried ants to soup with bees. The Dutch usually do not get further than an accidentally eaten spider in its sleep or aphid on the spinach.
We also eat scale insects en masse and unconsciously. These are insects that are used for red dye. Pink cakes and red M&Ms are examples of food with insects.
Mealworm in the fryer
Eating insects is of course not about unintentional consumption, but about dishes that you know contain mealworms, grasshoppers, ants or honey bees.
Until now, that kind of food is hardly available here, but according to insect experts, that must change. In fact, the Netherlands must lead the way.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is investing one million euros in research by Wageningen University into the use of insects in food.
Just as healthy as meat
The vanguard of fans finds insects nice and soft in taste. But they especially praise two other benefits: health and sustainability. Insects provide proteins, iron and vitamins A, B2 and D. They are therefore comparable to meat from pork, chicken or beef. The fat percentage is often lower and more favorable in composition. That means a lot of unsaturated fat, such as linoleic acid. However, products with insects that are currently being developed or that will come on the market often fall into the category of snacks or sweets. For example, fried snacks or mealworms in chocolate. More pure, healthier processes, such as roasting, will probably yield products that the Dutch do not (yet) venture so easily into.
Sustainable choice
Eating insects instead of beef, pig or chicken provides environmental benefits. Firstly, much less agricultural land is needed to grow insects. Secondly, the CO2 emissions are considerably lower. Finally, insects need much less food. For example, one kilogram of beef requires three times as much feed than one kilogram of edible insects. There is therefore less manure. Researchers and insect companies are also developing half-and-half products. Minced chicken mixed with mealworms for snacks, for example. This may make it easier for the doubters to be convinced.
Sources:
ent.wur.nl
www.evmi.nl
www.venik.nl
