Eating Insects For Survival
Eating insects for survival grosses a lot of people out, and for an understandable reason. We are all put off by the idea of eating insects and bugs in the wild, but what do we do when without a choice?
The general belief is that you can survive for three days without food, and while this may be true, it doesn’t tell you what you should know. I do not argue that you can survive for three days without water, especially if you’re a strong man, but how about the effects of these few days?
Why You Should Consider Eating Insects For Survival
If you don’t eat for just a day, your body begins to eat itself. It feeds on the reserved fats in your stores, and that’s when you start to feel weak, drained, and tired. Now, when your body is done feeding on your reserved fats, what do you think happens? A total collapse. So, in reality, you are half-dead on your second day.
So, instead of having to die from hunger, wouldn’t you prefer eating insects? And do you know what’s better? Insects are nutritious! They are packed with nutrients, which some plants don’t offer. Certain companies specialize in making cricket meals for faux chicken and beef. According to them, cricket-fed poultry is healthier than ordinary poultry.
The world is starting to embrace this feeding option, so why not you, especially when you have no choice?
General Rules That Guide Eating Insects For Survival
Despite the acclaimed nutrients derivable from insects, you have to be careful when eating them. Some insects can make you sick and even cause death. But this shouldn’t turn you away from eating insects, because, after all, you can come across poisonous plants while foraging as well. The key is to know the insect to pick and which not to pick. Here are general guidelines to follow if you want to stay healthy when you eat insects.
- Slow Moving Bugs: Seven out of ten times, slow-moving insects are poisonous. This is the specific reason they move slowly. As such, you’ll hardly see such insects falling prey. Take note as well.
- Fuzzy insects: Insects with spines are typically poisonous. In fact, 8/10 times, these spines are used to spray toxins.
- Foul-smelling Bugs: If an insect smells horribly, it is best to leave it be. Toxins and bacteria usually carry putrid smells that discourage other insects from preying on them. So, the next time you perceive an odor in an insect, do well to do away with it.
- Bright, Flashy Colors: Nature tries to keep everything balanced, so there are several indicators of harm in insects. Any insect with flashy, eye-catching color is most likely poisonous, so it is best to go for green, brown, or black insects.
- Stingers: Insects, such as wasps and bees, are not safe for consumption with their stingers intact. Thus, the best option may be to avoid such insects. However, if they are the only options available, you should cut off their stingers before eating them. Be careful, though; remember they sting.
- Flies & Mosquitoes: Insects that breed or hang in extremely dirty or unhealthy environments, such as stagnant water, feces, and rotten meat, are highly harmful. Everything these bugs eat is poisonous, so you should do away with them. They may cause illness or even death.
- Underground Insects: Insects found underground will usually contain dirt in their digestive tracts. You should thus be careful with them. So, when you find grubs or worms, you may have to soak them in water for some hours to get the dirt out.
- Wings & Legs: Asides that wings & legs are hardly nutritious, they usually cause an itch in your throat when swallowing. Thus, it is advisable to remove these parts before eating.
- Cook When In Doubt: When you are unsure if an insect is healthy, the last resort is just to cook it. Unless an insect is poisonous, cooking any insect is enough to detoxify it. Sometimes, you may cook your insects even if you’re sure of their healthiness. That may help you enjoy them better.
Best Options For Eating Insects For Survival
As we have now looked at the common rules concerning what insect you should and shouldn’t eat, let us consider generally nutritious insects.
Ants
Ants are available nearly everywhere in the world. Fortunately, they are edible and even delicious. Ask my nephews. You can find ants by breaking an anthill or fishing them where they gather. Some species of ant taste like citrus.
Earthworms & Grubs
Earthworms and grubs have high levels of iron and protein and are luckily edible. You can decide to eat them raw or cooked, whichever works for you. However, always soak your grubs and earthworms in water for some hours to remove the dirt in them before eating.
Bees & Wasps
Bees and wasps are edible. But as we mentioned earlier, cut off their stingers before eating.
Moths & Butterflies
Moths and butterflies, including caterpillars, are safe to eat. You may have to cook them, however, before eating.
Centipedes
Centipedes can make a good source of food since they grow large. However, they are poisonous when alive. So, the best option is to cook these critters as well as detach the head. Importantly, make sure you can differentiate a centipede from a millipede, as the latter is poisonous even when cooked.
Cicadas
Cicadas are seasonal insects; they are not always available. I suppose you know that already, but do you know they make a good meal? Cicadas, the young ones, in particular, are delicious to taste.
Snails
Snails are delicious when cooked. You can fry them for a better taste. Snails are a common meal worldwide. Even they are available on French menus.
Conclusion On Eating Insects For Survival
Eating insects for survival is not as bad as you think, especially when you consider them tasty and nutritious. There are several other insects that you can eat in the wild. They include roaches, termites, slugs, tarantulas, scorpions, grasshoppers, crickets, pillbugs, mealworms, and June bugs. Always remember the ultimate rule: cook when in doubt.