Tasty Alternative Cuisine That Will Make You Crindge

Jake Hughes
The Paw Print

With the world’s population exceeding 7 billion, the strain to feed ourselves is becoming an increasing issue. Nearly 870 million people, or 1 in 8 are suffering from undernourishment and almost all these people live in developing countries.
Worldhunger.org stated that malnutrition is a general term that indicates a lack of some, or all nutritional elements necessary for human health.
Although the number of undernourished people fell in Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number grew in Africa by nearly 20 million people.
The principle cause for most of the world’s undernourishment is poverty. The lack of resources, land, and income is intertwined with poverty and undernourishment.
The question that many people ask is “does the world produce enough food for everyone.” The simple answer is yes. Worldhunger.org stated that we produce enough kilocalories per person to give them at least 2,720kcal despite the population increasing 70percent in 30 years.
The United Nations has stated that the fight against global warming, world hunger and pollution lies within insects. Eating insects can be a cost friendly equivalent for humans and livestock. The UN is promoting edible insects as a low fat, high protein, and high fiber equivalent to everyday foods.
Although this can seem shocking to our Western culture, over two billion people already indulge in the tasty cuisine, mainly in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Scientists have stated that red ants, small grasshoppers, and water beetles pack the same amount of protein as lean ground beef.
Living off insects compared to cattle can also be more economical and environmentally friendly. Insects on average convert 2 kilograms of feed into 1kg of edible meat. In comparison to cattle, which require 8kg of feed to produce 1kg of meat.
By 2050 the world’s population is said to reach 9 billion. Land and water pollution from intensive livestock production and over grazing is leading to forest degradation, and land erosion which in turn contributes to climate change. This is all because we need to support our growing population.
The answer to our problems could lie with insects. Although we may see these creepy crawlies as nothing but a threat, which we often crush on sight, the new book “Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security” explains not just the nutritional benefits but the environmental effects it could have on a world that is trying to combat the demand for food.