Have you ever wondered what crickets taste like? Would you ever eat one? What if I told you, you already do? The information used in this essay is cited from various articles and videos that are cited in the bibliography. Some people believe that insects are disgusting or harmful to our bodies, but in reality the benefits of entomophagy outweigh the drawbacks. I believe, schools should add insects to their menu because insects have nutritional value and having insects in diets can be a step to ending poverty.
A diet that contains crickets or other insects is very rich in proteins, which is one of the mains reasons crickets can be accounted as beneficial. To begin with, proteins are macromolecules built from amino acids and are found in most
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meats, insects, dairy products, fish and others, however meat is the most popular source for protein.
To add on, proteins are polymers so as soon as protein sources are eaten, enzymes break them down which is the process of digestion. After this amino acids are distributed throughout the body by either absorption, which is when materials are taken in, or by circulation, which is when the blood carries out the materials throughout the body. Then the nutrition releases energy from the food in the process of metabolism, and since crickets contain a heavy amount of nutrition more energy is released. Furthermore, proteins are needed for cells and the human body to function. To be specific, different types of proteins are used for different causes such as receptor proteins allow the cell to be alert of its surrounding and is the reason only needed and safe substances pass through the cell membrane. To explain, this process of …show more content…
making proteins useful to the cell starts with foods being taken apart and the amino acids from proteins being stored. These amino acids are hooked together by ribosomes and proteins are produces. These proteins allow cells to function properly and for our bodies to perform the processes of life such as enzymes, which break down food and speed up the metabolism process. To conclude, Proteins are one of the most important materials in our bodies and are needed for most functions that occur within cells inside our body. Crickets should be added to school lunch menu because of how much nutrition is available from proteins and because it can be a substitute for meat.
First, proteins and other nutrition are high in insects as dried crickets contain 65% protein without industrial processing. Also, while different sources of meat are also high in proteins, crickets contain more of vitamins, minerals, calcium, iron, and zinc. To add on, According to the article “Your Post-Workout Protein Shake Should Be Loaded With Insects”, “In addition to being high in protein, many edible insect species are also high in essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3s”. This indicates in general insects are beneficial to our bodies by being able to provide accessible nutrition needed to sustain life. Such as fatty acids are needed to produce energy, help in tissue development, strengthening the immune system and multiple other functions that maintain homeostasis and the overall health of our bodies. Furthermore, using crickets as the main source for proteins and other nutrition can help in ending poverty. This can be supported as it is stated in “Should We All Be Eating Insect” presented by ASAP SCIENCE, “Furthermore, by 2025 it’s expected that 1.8 billion people will live in areas with little to no fresh water, And yet, 70% of our fresh water sources are used in agriculture alone! To produce 1Kg of beef it takes 22,000 liters of water, whereas 1Kg of pork takes 3,500 liters, and 1Kg of chicken takes 2,300
liters. But to make 1Kg of crickets? It only requires 1 liter of water!” This demonstrates how using crickets can save water since as time passes more and more people are losing access to water. Without water, our bodies are more prone to kidney failure, loss of cells, and death. So if insects are used as a substitute for meat, countries that lack water and food resources will have a better chance at survival. To continue, Protein deficiency is a problem in many countries that lack food sources and can lead to many deadly diseases. The article “Kwashiorkor on the increase in Zimbabwe” claims that, “Most families in Harare had adopted mechanisms to cope with their limited access to food, said Mbengeranwa. These mechanisms included reducing food quantities, combining meals and removing meat from their diets”. This portrays situations such as economic instability force people to drastically reduce the amount of food intake. However, replacing meat with insects such as crickets can be a permanent solution to this since insects are more accessible and contain large amounts of nutrition. In conclusion, proteins and other nutrition are highly accessible in crickets, putting crickets in diets can lead to the decrease of world hunger and multiple diseases. Therefore, placing crickets in school lunch can be an advantage to students especially since this is the stage where people develop the most and need the most sustenance. Some people may argue that eating insects is not the right decision as they are mostly described as disgusting or harmful. First, in modern western culture insects are never eaten casually, because they are thought of as inedible and just plainly nauseating. However, contrary to popular belief insects are eaten on a daily basis as they are in some of the most eaten products. To explain, most foods people eat daily and is a part of their meal contain insects. In the words of Daniella Martin, “If wheat flour can have 75 fragments per 50 grams, or about a half cup; tomato paste can have 30 fly eggs per 100 grams, or a quarter cup; and hops can average 2,500 aphids per 10 grams, then a meal of pizza and beer could result in, what, 100 fragments per person? Five bits if bug per bite?” This shows how pizza, which is one of the most popular food contains large amounts of bugs that we find repulsive, yet we still find it delicious and enjoying. In addition to, today insects are viewed as harmful to eat because they can be covered in pesticides. According to the article “Could insects really be the wonder food of the future”, “The situation in the USA is similar: companies can sell whole insects as long as they are clean, wholesome and raised specifically for human consumption.” This explains the insects that will be used as a resource of nutrition will be clean and free of any virus, bacteria or pesticide. To sum up, as opposed to popular beliefs about insects being revolting and harmful, insects are actually already used in most foods and just like other animals only clean insects are used for food. To summarize, Adding crickets to diet plans in school lunches can be highly favorable whether we do it today or in five years because of the nutritional value and advantages that occur because of it. The reasons for why crickets should be added can be explained with background information, which is the process of digestion, synthesis, distribution and respiration od proteins, and the significance and functions of proteins in our bodies. The motives for why crickets should be added to school lunches are they contain large amounts of nutrition, they can prevent diseases caused from the lack of food and water, and because they end poverty. Countries in Africa majorly lack food sources, therefore insects replace meat. Nonetheless, the ingestion of crickets is not accepted by everyone and diseases and deaths because of the lack of food continues to occur. To reference back to my questions about the intake of crickets, foods such as pizza, coffee beans, ketchup already include these insects. Overall, the consumption of crickets can decrease health problems and allow our bodies to intake major amount of nutrition, which is why crickets should be an option in lunch menus.
Bess beetles range in size all the way from 21 millimeters to 80 millimeters. The beetles are named after the French word baiser, which means “to kiss”, due to the fact that they often make a smooching sound with their legs. They have a small horn that protrudes from their head, and use their antennae to drive them forward when experiencing new smells. Though the beetles may look quite menacing, they are surprisingly docile. They enjoy feasting on rotten wood, moss, and adult beetle fecal matter after it has been partially digested by bacteria. A scientific experiment was conducted to test these beetle’s pulling power in relation to their mass. The hypothesis stated,
Stevenson PA, Hofmann HA, Schoch K, Schildberger K. 2000. The fight and flight responses of crickets depleted of biogenic amines. Journal of Neurobiology 43:107-120.
In their article, “The Six-Legged Meat of the Future,” Dicke and Van Huis argue that due to the decline in the supply of meat in America, we should begin to use insects as an “alternate animal protein”
Richard Conniff uses strong scientific facts in his essay to get his major point across to the audience. One of the major facts he uses stood out as it disproved many a wives tale about the common household fly. Most people think of flies as dirty animals who fed on dead animals and spread disease. Conniff uses a study that found flies tested from dirty areas contained more a lot mor...
Crickets, they are so noisy and quick they are pretty scary; but have you ever considered eating them. Even though crickets can come off as pretty disgusting they can be very nutritious for the students growth, and helpful for the environment. Now you might be saying why go through the trouble of making cricket meals or snacks, when you can get a lot tastier foods from the store. However crickets are very cheap and aren’t that hard to find at stores near you, this has been helping the switch for other schools a lot easier. We should think about adding crickets to school lunches to provide a healthier, cleaner, and cheaper community.
The Cockroach (Blaptica Dubai) was obtained from the laboratory personnel at UNM. The cricket (Acheta domesticus) was purchased from a pet store in Albuquerque called Clark’s Emporium. The cockroach was raised in an opaque plastic box that contained egg shell cartons. The roaches were in a room temperature environment. Every day they were fed dog food, vegetables and provided with adequate amounts of water provided by polysaccharide water crystals. The Cricket was maintained in a glass tank with eggshell cartons at room temperature. They were fed “Total Bites” once a day. Total Bites are gel food that provided them with both nutrients and water.
People from all over the world, from every walk of life, regardless of color, age, gender or religious beliefs all have one thing in common, that is to consume food in order to survive. Many places around the world have food scares yet America has access to a lavish selection of crops to choose from. The most nutritious part of any human’s diet is a result of insect pollination. In such manner, pesticide use is causing honey bee colony collapse disorder putting their existence in grave danger and posing major food source shortages.
Kohstall-Schnell, D. Gras, H. (1994). Activity of Giant Interneurones and other Wind-Sensitive Elements of the Terminal Ganglion in the Walking Cricket. J. exp. Biol. 193, 157–181 (1994)
“Organic Wisdom, or Why Should a Fly Eat Its Mother from Inside.” Ever Since Darwin. New York, New York and London, England: W.W. Norton & Company, 1977.
Her audience is anyone who cares about the world we live in and its long term health. “The world we live in” is a vast category, which includes our entire ecosystem as well as animals and humans. The essay also targets producers and users of chemicals and pesticides used for insect and pest control. In “The Obli...
A vegetarian diet usually has high fiber and is low in fat and calories. This is why a vegetarian diet is a great option for someone who wants to lose weight. However, a diet too low in fat and calories can be a problem for children and teenagers who are still growing (Becoming a Vegetarian 2014). It is important that someone does not start a new diet without asking a healthcare professional first. Another benefit of a vegetarian diet is that it might be helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease. In a study on 76,000 people, vegetarians were 25% less likely to die of heart disease then someone who eats meat (Harvard Health).Becoming a vegetarian has a lot of health
When eaten, protein is broken down into amino acids. Proteins and amino acids are used for almost every metabolic process in the body, and are the building blocks for every tissue in your body.
Our metabolism, “the totality of an organism’s chemical reactions”, manages energy usage and production of cells. We use energy constantly and our metabolism breaks down food through complex chemical reactions into energy our cells
the body's chemical reactions are all made of protein. Without the right proteins, blood won't clot properly and cuts won't heal. Carbohydrates and fat can't meet your energy needs, proteins can. broken down and used as a source of emergency energy. So this makes protein is very crucial for your health.
In order to perform at peak potential an athlete must fuel their body with nutritious foods. Proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables; these three-core food groups fuel a winning athlete. Proteins help build, teeth, bones and muscles, and create enzymes, red blood cells, long-term energy, as well, boost the immune system. Its functions are the most diverse of any food group. Protein consists of combinations of structures called amino acids that combine in various ways to make muscles, bone and tissues. They serve other functions as well including nutrient transportation and enzyme production for overall health beneficence. Adequate, regular protein intake is essential because the body does not easily store it. Various foods supply protein in different amounts with the highest quantaty coming mostly from animal products such as meat, fish, and eggs.