Bug Content in Everyday Food

[vavavroom]

Since the topic came up in an earlier thread today I'd like to make a list with foods that are high in bug content. Could be useful for those seeking to increase their protein intake or those who would like to minimize unwanted protein intake.

How do I feel about bug content? Well, while I'm not seeking out bug content and prefer to not eat bugs I'm okay with invisible bug content. I just don't like seeing live or dead bugs in my food. If they are well-processed and don't tickle my throat and as long as I don't taste them I really don't care. Maybe some bugs taste good? I might change my mind. I mean, lobsters and shrimps are bugs and they taste great.


Some foods high in bug content include

coffee beans
all grain products
fruit, especially dried fruit, berries, and fruit juice
vegetables, especially broccoli, and mushrooms
spices, especially pepper and cinnamaon
nuts and nut butter
chocolate

This is really bad news for vegetarians.

 

[skyactiv]

What you don't know, wont hurt you.

 

[vavavroom]

What you don't know, wont hurt you.

Like the "radium girls"?

You may never know what hurt you. Being blissfully unaware is fine depending on what we are talking about.

 

[wpod]

We will have bugs to eat as our main protein source.

 

[SC Maintenance]

What you don't know, wont hurt you.

Yep. If it don't kill you it only makes you stronger is my moto.

The government wants us to eat bugs anyway.

 

[oldcodger]

You should ride a combine gathering corn or soybeans. When you see thousands of bugs and bug parts in the grain bin it makes you wonder just how much the processing is able to get out and how much remains.

 

[Pew]

All vegans are really liars.

 

[ripcord]

I'm not so grossed out by insect content, it's the parts per unit of rodent body parts and feces that is allowable that gives me the yucks.

 

[Cheetah-kins]

Doesn't bother me, honestly. I feel fortunate we live in a time where so much is available that we can generally be healthy if we choose to be. While I don't want to see bugs in my food, it's a given to me finely ground up parts are likely present. Doesn't hurt me and I accept it as a price for feeding millions of people millions of food choices.

 

[oldhp]

I like the ground up worms they use for "protein" in foods.

 

[vavavroom]

You should ride a combine gathering corn or soybeans. When you see thousands of bugs and bug parts in the grain bin it makes you wonder just how much the processing is able to get out and how much remains.

That's why Soy is not only high in protein but in complete protein.

 

[vavavroom]

I could have sworn I read a comment regarding dolphin-safe tuna. Just wanted to add dolphins are tasty.

 

[Al]

Ignorance is bliss.

 

[y_p_w]

I've eaten all sorts of stuff. We have too much of an "ick factor" because we think everything we eat is somehow "clean". And I can't stand the stupidity of advertising food with "clean ingredients". Puh-leeze!

I've had oysters - eaten raw in the shell. Really like them. However, I also realized that some of the "nutrients" they have aren't just phytoplankton and algae, but also a bit of cattle runoff from the local dairy and beef ranches. Supposedly they help to filter that from the water.

I've gone backpacking where I just boiled the water or perhaps treated it with chemicals (and chlorine dioxide is really funky tasting although it does kill cryptosporidium). But yeah there's all sorts of stuff that was in the water that I just drank. Probably little bits of bugs and whatever animal waste products ended up in the creek.

I remember once eating some chips wondering why they tasted different. Then it started tickling a little bit and I noticed that ants were crawling inside the bag. Threw it out, but I never got sick from it.