Top 5 insects you should be eating

Cape Town – Scientists have long argued the virtues of eating insects as an alternative source of nutrition. Not only are insects cheap, they are filled with proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

There are close to 2000 different edible insects in the world according to a report on IFL science.

Here is a list of the top 5 insects we should eat.

Grasshoppers

These insects are filled with protein. 77% of its entire body is entirely made up of protein.

Known as chapulines in Latin America, they mainly eat beans, corn and other legumes.

Grasshoppers in Mexico are usually eaten with tortillas and avocado.

Palm grubs

Know as natural energy bars, palm bugs are weevils and are eaten in South Asia and the Americas, specifically in Paraguay.

These bugs are filled with unsaturated fatty acids. The body consists of 69% pure fat.

They can be cooked in their own fat or eaten raw.

Mopane worms

Mopane worms are a great source of iron. They have between 31 to 77mg of iron per 100g.

Found predominantly in Southern Africa, these insects are very good for increasing iron levels for people who have vitamin deficiencies.

Meal worms

Nutritionally meal worms could be compared to beef. In European countries, companies have started growing meal worms in order to be used as bird food.

But they are just as good for humans.

In the Netherlands companies are now rearing meal worms for human consumption.

Black soldier flies maggots

A Black soldier fly contains 42% protein and 35% fat.

These insects are mostly used in animal feed. They are particularly used in the poultry, trout and swine industry.

In China they are especially delicious when deep fried or dried.