The low fat content of insects has led some researchers – such as those involved in the FAO report – to suggest that entomophagy may be an effective way to combat obesity and its related diseases. In 2014, the Daily Mail reported on one man from the U.S. who shifted from a typical Western diet to a bug-filled one after mistaking a bowl of crispy crickets for peanuts – and he claims the addition of insects helped him lose weight.
Talking about the potential benefits of eating insects, 29-year-old Jason Brink said:
“We have the ability to transform our diets from the steady stream of junk food, to which so many are accustomed, to an entirely different and decidedly broader global culinary adventure. It is up to us to make decisions about the future of our waistlines and our planet…”
Insects are considered highly nutritional; the majority of them are rich in protein, healthy fats, iron, and calcium, and low in carbohydrates. In fact, the authors of the FAO report claim that insects are just as – if not more – nutritious than commonly consumed meats, such as beef. For example, 100 grams of cricket contains around 121 calories, 12.9 grams of protein, 5.5 grams of fat, and 5.1 grams of carbohydrates. While 100 grams of ground beef contains more protein – around 23.5 grams – it is also much higher in fat, containing around 21.2 grams.
