Steak.

Steak is Symptomatic.

Steak is becoming more and more popular all the time. Here in the West, we revere steak. Steak is what we eat when we celebrate. Steak is super popular, and its popularity is expanding worldwide. Young people in many countries consider eating steak as a status symbol.

This desire to eat steak is driven by trends here in the West. By what people see online, on TV, and in the movies. We create trends, and the world follows. Because of this, traditional foods are being abandoned for foods people see on TV and can buy on grocers shelves.

Moving away from traditional foods in favor of fancy foods like steak is a serious problem facing us today.

We all know the harm meat production causes: pollution, deforestation, and the inhumane way we treat commercial livestock. Well, there’s a solution, but you’re probably not going to like it due to unwarranted cultural fears.

Before I mention the ancient food source, let me give this perspective.

It took until the 1800s to hit one billion people on our planet. When I was born in 1960, there were three billion people. The world’s population doubled to six billion by the time I was forty. By 2050, when my kids are my age, there will be nearly nine billion people on our planet.

We’re having trouble feeding everyone now. With half again as many people on our planet, it’s only going to get worse. Food insecurity is a significant factor in the strife and wars our world faces today.

We need an inexpensive high protein food source that is available to anyone anywhere.

The irony is, we have that food source now.

It’s an ancient food people all over the world enjoy every day. The only reason we do not embrace it is due to unwarranted cultural fears.

So, what is this ancient food? Bugs.

Bugs are not just survival food. They’re a sustainable food source, raised humanely, and super healthy. We need to embrace this ancient food instead of despising it merely because “bugs are gross.”

Edible bugs are a real animal protein that include all nine essential amino acids; they’re a prebiotic fiber (nutrition for probiotics), very high in antioxidants, a perfect Omega 3:6 balance, high in B12, Calcium, Zinc, Iron, and more.

Insects are also a very bio-available food source.

Here’s the thing, kids love eating insects.

Add bugs to a meal and watch the fun begin. It’s a new adventure.

Nobody ever forgets their first edible bug experience!

The hardest bug to eat is your first one. I know it’s tough. But, once you overcome your unwarranted cultural fear, you’ll discover a whole new food group.

There are over 2,000 bugs that are considered food. And, each one tastes different. It’s the greatest culinary challenge of our lifetime.

Create conversation at your next dinner by adding Black Ants to a salad (they taste citrusy, like lemon or lime) or make tacos with Chapulines (toasted grasshoppers). For the tough sell, cover crickets in chocolate. Everyone loves chocolate-covered crickets!

By adding edible bugs to your meal, you and your family become Entomophagists, and Entomophagists make the world a better place!

Here’s the definition of Entomophagy.

en·to·moph·a·gy /ˌentoˈmäfəjē/ noun
The practice of eating bugs

When you serve bugs, expect a lot of social media activity. It’s something to talk about. Your diners will tell the world they just had bugs for dinner!

And, That’s the Key!

Make edible bugs a trend here in the West, and the world will follow. Traditional foods made with bugs will become popular again worldwide.

And why not? Replacing meat with bugs is healthy, humane, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

Eating insects simply makes sense.

Replacing meat with bugs reduces pollution, deforestation, and the inhumane treatment of animals associated with meat production.

Entomophagy is one step in the right direction we can take now. I’m determined to make it happen. So, please join me.

Become an Entomphagist by adding bugs to your meals.

It’s good for us, and it’s good for our planet.

It’s a fun way to contribute to a better world.

It’s the Greatest Culinary Challenge of Our Lifetime!

Please Note: People who are allergic to shellfish may be allergic to bugs.

Full Disclosure: I’m President of Entosense, and some of the links in this article are to our website EdibleInsects.com.

For an in-depth read on edible insects, check out the UN’s FAO publication “Edible Insects — Future prospects for food and feed security.”