THE INSECTS ARE COMING!
With an abundance of cheap food and a weakness for junk food, the dietary habits of many Americans (and people in other Western countries) have led to an obesity epidemic. As a result, a growing number of food experts are saying it’s time to replace traditional dishes with more nutritious and also more economical and ecological dishes: dishes that contain insects.
If you put a plate of bugs (as insects are often called in the USA) in front of an American, they, live most Westerners, would probably refuse to eat them. Insects are seen as pests that destroy food crops rather than delicacies to be eaten. 1……… The challenge for the promoters of insect-based meals is to make Americans see them in the same way.
During the 20th century, if you had visited a research department at an American food and agricultural university, you would have heard about how they were trying to reduce insect numbers due to the negative impact they have on crops and seeds. 2……… Furthermore, insect fairs such as the BugFest at the North Carolina Museum or The Great Insect Fair at Penn State University explain that grasshoppers, moths and their cousins are an excellent source of nutrients like protein, minerals and vitamins. The fairs also offer the more adventurous visitors ‘bug banquets’, which serve mouth-watering insect dishes.
Apart from the scientific community, a growing number of market stalls and restaurants are providing insect meals too. 3……… What is more, fans of insect-based cooking like Daniella Martin are spreading the word that bugs are good for you. Martin’s blog Girl Meets Bug, her internet cooking videos and her newspaper columns are all contributing to changing Americans’ perceptions of insects. 4……… While entomophagists (people who eat insects) agree they face an uphill struggle, with 70 million obese citizens and millions more who want to be environmentally friendly, it seems that his could be the right time for insects to invade America’s kitchens.
Let's answer the questions.
1 What reason are used to support an insect-based diet?
2 How are supporters of insects as food trying to persuade Americans to eat them?
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