14 DAY TRIAL // This past Monday, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization released a new report stating that insects are a noteworthy source of nutrients and should not be dismissed because of the so-called yuck factor alone.
The UN explains that, according to several estimates, the world's population will have hit a whopping 9 billion people by the year 2050.
Needless to say, feeding these many individuals will be a fairly difficult thing to do, not to mention the fact that it will place tremendous strain on the environment.
Therefore, it would be best if those who currently shy away from insects overcome their fears and start looking at them as a potential meal.
“Insects are a highly nutritious and healthy food source with high fat, protein, vitamin, fiber and mineral content,” reads the UN's report on this matter.
Despite the report's labeling insects as a potential food source, specialist Eva Muller wished to stress the fact that, “We are not saying that people should be eating bugs.”
“We are saying that insects are just one resource provided by forests, and insects are pretty much untapped for their potential for food, and especially for feed,” Eva Muller further argued.
The official website for the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization details how, apart from its being able to help human society avoid a devastating food crisis, the practice of eating insects also yields significant benefits as far as environmental protection goes.
Thus, obtaining 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of insects’ meat only requires about 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of feed.
On the other hand, producing 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef requires about 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of feed. Therefore, turning to insects might help prevent over-harvesting.
By the looks of it, about 2 billion people worldwide currently feed on bugs on a regular basis.
The UN hopes that, given the right incentives and the appropriate legislation, more individuals will soon take up this habit.