Bugs in Your Food, But Not in Your Home

 

Eating insects is getting more and more popular in the United States. It used to be that we would only see people eating insects in either documentaries of cultures in South Korea or China, or more frequently on a reality show like “Fear Factor,” but a recent article by CBS Miami has brought to our attention the new movement of Americans eating crickets and maggots in restaurants.

Yes, that’s right. The new “extreme foodie movement” is bringing bugs to a growing number of restaurants in this country. Daring eaters are sampling salads, burgers, and other dishes with bugs in them.

For some who can get passed the way crickets, roaches, and other insects look, they may be able to take a bite out of a “Cricket salad.” Executive Chef Thomas Hugenberger says insects can be “quite delicious.” He has been eating insects since he was a kid living in South Korea. He cooks them here in the U.S. from time to time.

Suzy Badaracco is a culinary trend forecaster. She said, “Edible bugs in other countries are very common. Currently, about two billion consumers worldwide regularly consume insects.” She continued to say that the best way to prepare insects for those who don’t like the thought of eating them because of how they look is to grind them. “For instance, grind them into flour, like a cricket flour, and put them into protein bars.” She thinks that eating bugs that are grinded into flour and other foods is probably a better way to give this trend a better chance in the U.S.

A representative for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Vandana Sheth, explained that eating bugs can be healthy.

“Insects can be an excellent source of protein. In fact, they have all the amino acids similar to what’s found in beef, chicken, and fish. Insects also are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, polyunsaturated fats.”

Insects are high in B Vitamins, iron and zinc. If you are interested in trying to eat some insects, make sure that the source of where you are getting your bugs from is well kept in how to handle them and clean them. You have to make sure they are free of microbes.

There are a certain number of restaurants in California, Canada, Chicago, and Texas that serve insect items on their regular menus. You can easily get salted ants, barbeque worms, seaweed scorpions, and other insects online.

No restaurants here in South Florida have been discovered with bugs on the menu yet. However, bugs, termites, and other pests have been found in South Floridians’ home. Bugs might be in restaurants, but you still don’t want them in your homes. Accurate Pest Control, Inc. in Plantation offers termite control, rodent control, pigeon control, and pest control. We can help you eliminate those creatures. Call us today to get a free quote.

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