Should We Eat Bugs? Mealworm Milk & Planet-Saving Protein

In our episode "Should We Eat Bugs? Mealworm Milk & Planet-Saving Protein," we explored the amazing world of entomophagy, that's a fancy word for eating insects! We learned how bugs can be super nutritious and good for the planet. Now, let's become bug-food scientists ourselves with this Ranger Mission!

The Big Question

How can we compare the nutritional power of common foods with the potential of insects?

What You'll Need

• Pictures or drawings of various common foods (e.g., chicken breast, beans, spinach, milk)
• Pictures or drawings of common edible insects (e.g., mealworms, crickets, grasshoppers)
• A piece of paper or whiteboard
• Markers or crayons

Mission Steps

1. Gather Your Foods. Collect pictures of common foods and edible insects.
2. Build Your Chart. On your paper or whiteboard, draw two columns: "Common Foods" and "Insect Foods."
3. Add the Proteins. Under each column, draw or write the names of your foods. If you can, draw a small "P" next to the foods that are known for their protein.
4. Add the Planet Power. Next to the insect pictures, draw a leaf or a small globe to show they might be good for the planet.

Talk About It

• What foods did you put in the "Common Foods" column? What about the "Insect Foods" column?
• Which foods have the most "P"s for protein?
• Why did you draw leaves or globes next to the insect foods?

Take It Further

Older Rangers (ages 9-12) can research specific nutritional facts for a few different insects and compare them to the protein, iron, and vitamin content of their favorite non-insect foods. You can create a more detailed chart showing these exact numbers!

FAQ

Q: Is it safe to just go out and eat bugs from my backyard? A: No, it's not safe. Many wild insects can be poisonous, and others might have eaten things that would make you sick. Always use insects raised specifically for eating. Q: Where can I actually find insect food to try? A: You can find edible insects online from specialized food companies, or sometimes in health food stores. They often come dried, roasted, or as powders for cooking.