U.N., Entomophagist Says Don't Say Eww, Say Yum To Bugs

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - The U.N. may have a solution for our stink bug problem.

According to a recent study they published, the world's population will hit 9 billion by 2050, and all of those people will put a strain on the food supply. To combat these possible coming food shortages,  the U.N. says we should eat more bugs.

That's right- cicadas, stink bugs, grasshoppers, caterpillars  ants- these creepy crawlies might end up on your next menu.

"Stink bugs are surprisingly tasty," says Dave Gracer, a professor at Community College of Rhode Island and known entomophagist- someone who eats bugs.

KDKA-AM's Larry and John talk to Professor Gracer about eating bugs and why he thinks it's a great idea for more people to eat bugs.

"They're really surprisingly nutritious," says Gracer. "They have lots of good things for the body. They're high in protein, vitamins, and minerals."

The other benefit of eating more bugs is that they're easy to get.

"They're really easy to mass produce. You can even mass produce them in cities, and therefore where the people are is where you can make the food. You can't do that with cows or pigs."

Gracer says that stink bugs are a great food source, and easy to eat.

"Think of them as croutons on a salad," says Gracer. "Or how about this- break them down into flour and then made into baked goods. You can do that with bugs and blend them into food."

While bugs may be plentiful, Gracer doesn't suggest catching them in your backyard. He says there are farms that make food grade bugs, or you can get them at pet stores. Just pop them in the freezer and then you can eat them how you want.