Would you eat insects if it helped to save the planet?
Polls
18th January 2021
18th January 2021
ONE meat alternative that we haven’t talked about might gross you out a bit, but could become a big part of our diets in the future – insects!
It’s estimated that two billion people around the world eat insects and that 1,900 species have been used as food at some point.
Scorpions and spiders are very popular snacks (although technically they’re not insects, as they have eight legs, not six)
We spoke to Dr Tilly Collins, an expert at Imperial College London who studies creepy-crawly cuisine.
Are some insects better than others?
We’re still learning about that. Crickets are looking really excellent on all fronts. They’re low in saturated fats, rich in protein, low in carbohydrates, low in sugar, so insects are excellent all-round. And they’re not only excellent for us, but as dog food, cat food and fish food, and even for chicken food. They’re really excellent and much closer to their natural diet.
Are there any negatives to eating insects?
The only negatives are that we haven’t got enough information on some of them, and also overcoming the yuk factor.
Have you tried many yourself?
Oh yes, I’ve eaten quite a lot. I’m quite happy to eat insects! I just object when bits get stuck between my teeth, so I’m all for grinding them up.
Do you have a favourite that you’ve munched on?
Mealworms are my favourite. Especially fried up with garlic and a bit of soy sauce!
What do you think? Could you munch on insects to save the planet?
59 Comments
shaye123 · 1 year ago
ONLY to save our planet
shaye123 · 1 year ago
1 ST comment
kuhuzoo9 · 1 year ago
True no other reason for me to eat bugs🦗🐛💍🤢🤮
crystalx27 · 1 year ago
Insects contain proteins and energy which are good for us. I think I would be willing to try them, especially if it will help save the planet.
vvvv · 1 year ago
Why can't everyone just become vegetarians? Insects are living things with feelings too. It's not JUST the yuk factor. They deserve to live, and so do other animals. If you stop eating meat doesn't mean you eat insects. My favourite quote is:
" Everything alive deserves a chance to grow" - Meg McCaffrey, The Burning Maze, Trials of Apollo, Rick Riordan
I think that would be even better for the planet.
My answer is no.
Unless you mean in a different way, like an evil something is trying to destroy the world and saving the world includes eating some insects. I'd be happy to if those insects are already dead, but if it involves killing them, I'd try to find another option, unless this isn't possible.
ameliau · 1 year ago
I would eat them if it helped to save the planet because they contain protein and energy which is very healthy for our body. It is not like I have meat in most of my meals anyway. So I guess eating bugs won't be that bad if it is just dead animals which I guess can't be that disgusting. If they helped save the planet I would at least consider trying them because they might be nice. But it always is trying them just in case you think they are nice. Although if you don't think they are nice at least you y have tried them. #I WOULD TRY THEM IF THEY HELPED SAVE THE PLANET
aqua28 · 1 year ago
I wouldn't eat insects because I believe it is wrong to kill an animal that doesn't want to be killed even if it can't feel pain
mr.shark08 · 1 year ago
I would only do this on 2 occasions: to save the planet aNd if it was a non-venomous-non-bitey-inscect
lottielove · 1 year ago
Eww!
heh · 1 year ago
I partly agree.
The future of other peoples live is MUCH more important than what we eat. I personally wouldn't mind eating insects, after all, how else would we have discovered all the other foods like potatoes if we hadn't tried eating them?
I also disagree.
Just because they're little doesn't mean their lives aren't worth anything. They still have lives, and don't deserve to be eaten just because us humans want to. You have to imagine you are them, about to be eaten by menacing beasts that don't care for you just because you are little compared to them. You cannot just do things because you want to. But still, there are 3 parts to an argument: the 1st person's reasoning, the 2nd persons reasoning and the truth.
heh · 1 year ago
I agree with vvvv
safaripig · 1 year ago
IF our planet was about to break of climate change, then I would. Any other things, NO!!!
asbml · 1 year ago
I agree with vvvv and heh and I also wouldn't eat insects because they're too discusting.
But I wouldn't become vegetarian because it's bad for children to not have the right vitamins, protien and iron(that come from meat). So I would just eat less meat or be vegetarian every other day.
ninjakiwi · 1 year ago
i am vegatairm
sammyboy · 1 year ago
that is disgusting
ninjakiwi · 1 year ago
i agree with vvv
fishgirl2 · 1 year ago
Maybe.
ONLY to save the planet Earth 🌍
Y.U.C.K
fishgirl2 · 1 year ago
🤢🤮
rollersk8t · 1 year ago
Eating insects wouldn't save the planet! They play a big part in the Earth's biodiversity! They need to fertilise plants and keep crops healthy otherwise bye bye food.
rsingh1 · 1 year ago
Disgustang 🤮🤮
fox64 · 1 year ago
Yes, only to save our planet... however I am a vegetarian... so... nah.
oceangirl · 1 year ago
I would ONLY to SAVE the PLANET
hermie1 · 1 year ago
Didn't hear anything
otisbing · 1 year ago
No
otisbing · 1 year ago
I am a 1/2 vegetarian and I think instead of bugs.........(drumroll)...........
VEGETABLES!!!!!!!!! + FRUIT!!!!!!!!!!!
🥗🥒🌶🌽🥕🥦🍆🍅🍑🍉🍌🍒🍇🥭🍓🍍🍈🥥
nyan_123 · 1 year ago
I agree with vvvv. No.
amerindian · 1 year ago
Ew no way I'll have ham instead please!
brh_21 · 1 year ago
bugs tast good
athenalily · 1 year ago
Why can't everyone just become vegetarians? Insects are living things with feelings too. It's not JUST the yuk factor. They deserve to live, and so do other animals. If you stop eating meat doesn't mean you eat insects. My favourite quote is:
" Everything alive deserves a chance to grow" - Meg McCaffrey, The Burning Maze, Trials of Apollo, Rick Riordan
I think that would be even better for the planet.
My answer is no.
Unless you mean in a different way, like an evil something is trying to destroy the world and saving the world includes eating some insects. I'd be happy to if those insects are already dead, but if it involves killing them, I'd try to find another option, unless this isn't possible.
I'm with ya vvvv
athenalily · 1 year ago
i'm veg. it's gross!!!
lilpenguin · 1 year ago
JUST GO VEGAN!!!
mcgeorge1 · 1 year ago
I would not eat an insect even if I had been told that it would be saving the planet . I mean they are insects.
animatedwa · 1 year ago
Well i have never tried them but they sound nice :) :(
pizza80 · 1 year ago
Some people toast tarantulas
pizza80 · 1 year ago
And then eat them
pizza80 · 1 year ago
They are apparently quite nice
purplebook · 1 year ago
Only to help the planet but I have a very weak stomach which causes me to vomit 🤮
news54321 · 1 year ago
If it helps to save the planet, I would eat insects. But at the moment I am a vegetarian so I don't think I'm going to eat insects just yet.
hedgehoge · 1 year ago
No because if we’re trying to save our planet surely we are saving it for the wildlife too and if you eat the wildlife they can’t enjoy it
bamboomilk · 1 year ago
Err, the insect would die if you ate them. That would not be help our planet. Plus it's like being on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Eww! Those poor insects and animals!
unicorn36 · 12 months ago
I have a phobia of insects so probably not even though I would like to help the environment
lindawalla · 11 months ago
Well only if... 👧🏽+🐛🕷🐌🐞🐜=😄🌎 .But not if... 👧🏽 +🐛🕷🐌🐞🐜=😭🌎
nevada · 11 months ago
Hell no, why do you want to be eating insects. If you do than your a weirdo
redtoad · 11 months ago
Animal=yum
acworthw · 9 months ago
mealworms taste like monkeynut skin and ants are kinda nice, but crickets and grasshoppers make you gag so much
adalard · 8 months ago
Not all bugs are THAT bad... I think..
katkid10 · 8 months ago
I have eaten Grasshoppers before, covered in BBQ sauce. It was nice... But my Mum hated it!
katkid10 · 8 months ago
Ladybirds are not edible lindawalla. They are poisonous!!!!!
badgehuff · 3 months ago
Yes but only certain ones
fox64 · 2 months ago
I would probably, however I am vegetarian so I feel I'm 'doing my boy' by doing that. If I had to then yes. Crunchy.
stargrl · 6 days ago
I don't think I can
ez-2011 · 6 days ago
They might actually taste nice.
And if it saved the environment.
flying4car · 6 days ago
i said no because it is killing life and we wouldn't like if we got eaten would we and insects like bees have a big impact on the ego system
oceangirl · 6 days ago
I agree with vvvv- if we stop eating animals, we stop eating insects. Imagine how you would feel if some giant decided to stop eating animals, with the exception of humans!
she_ra_cat · 5 days ago
No, that’s disgusting!
djmessi · 5 days ago
If it would save the planet I would.
panda89 · 4 days ago
i would definitely! I get that it is killing live things, which is NOT GOOD, but insects do not have feelings and i don’t think they are going to be included with a normal diet (vegetarian or meat) but as an alternative to meat. If they are instead of meat than they are way better because it means you would stop killing intelligent animals like pigs 🐷.
salamander · 4 days ago
bug are yucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cricsaurus · 4 days ago
It is too gross to eat, sorry earth