Apparently?
The UN is really pushing hard for you to go on a new diet, in order to help fight poverty, reduce pollution and increase your nutrition.
Bugs!
No, really…
They want you to eat those now:
[via MyFoxy]UN says: why not eat more insects? ~By FRANCES D’EMILIO
ROME (AP) — The U.N. has new weapons to fight hunger, boost nutrition and reduce pollution, and they might be crawling or flying near you right now: edible insects.
The Food and Agriculture Organization on Monday hailed the likes of grasshoppers, ants and other members of the insect world as an underutilized food for people, livestock and pets.
A 200-page report, released at a news conference at the U.N. agency’s Rome headquarters, says 2 billion people worldwide already supplement their diets with insects, which are high in protein and minerals, and have environmental benefits.
Insects are “extremely efficient” in converting feed into edible meat, the agency said. On average, they can convert 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of feed into 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of insect mass. In comparison, cattle require 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of feed to produce a kilo of meat.
Most insects are likely to produce fewer environmentally harmful greenhouse gases, and also feed on human and food waste, compost and animal slurry, with the products being used for agricultural feed, the agency said.
Currently, most edible insects are gathered in forests and what insect farming does take place is often family-run and serves niche markets. But the U.N. says mechanization can ratchet up insect farming production. The fish bait industry, for example, has long farmed insects.
Insect farming is “one of the many ways to address food and feed security,” the food agency said.
“Insects are everywhere and they reproduce quickly,” the agency said, adding they leave a “low environmental footprint.” They provide high-quality protein and nutrients when compared with meat and fish and are “particularly important as a food supplement for undernourished children,” it said.
Insects can also be rich in copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, and are a source of fiber.
The agency noted that its Edible Insect Program is also examining the potential of arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions, although they are not strictly speaking insects.
University biologists have analyzed the nutritional value of edible insects, and some of them, such as certain beetles, ants, crickets and grasshoppers, come close to lean red meat or broiled fish in terms of protein per gram (ounce).
…[Read More]
Don’t know about you?
But I can’t really figure out why I find that so very disturbing.
*snaps*
No, wait…
I just figured out ONE reason:
[via Listverse] 10 Photos of Bugs That Are Actually Cute ~by S. Grant
For most of us, the cute animals of the world fall strictly into the mammal or bird category. Bugs, insects, and other creepy crawlies are viewed with disgust, and most often end up squished on the bottom of our shoes. But this is a photo list which aims to change your perception of the little nasties, by showing you ten bugs that even the biggest insect-haters can agree are at least a little adorable.
10
Praying Mantis
Sure—if you enlarged this guy to, say, elephant size, he’d be more than a little horrifying. But at his tiny scale, he has kind of a sweet, Yoda-esque vibe about him. Despite their delicate appearance, praying mantids are voracious hunters, disguising themselves as leaves before darting out at lightning fast speeds to ensnare moths, grasshoppers, crickets, flies, and other insects.
9
Saddleback Caterpillar
Venomous spines are a little intimidating—we’ll concede that—but what’s cuter than a bug with his own saddle? Admittedly, attempts to find a rider have so far proved unsuccessful. These interesting critters live in the eastern half of the United States, and develop into an ordinary looking brown moth.
8
Ladybug
A ladybug’s bright, cheerful color is actually used to warn off predators. Ladybugs secrete an awful tasting fluid in their legs, and their distinctive markings remind predators (who have sampled their kind before) that they taste disgusting.
7
White-lipped Snail
Even though snails are mollusks rather than bugs or insects, they tend to hang out in the same areas—and they’re far too cute to refrain from putting on this list. Interestingly, white-lipped snails act as their own cupid before mating, as they literally shoot their partner with a “love dart” before getting it on. Scientists believe that the dart helps to improve their chances of reproduction.
Another major reason being?
Pretty simple…
The “Gak and spew!” reason:
It’s just freaking disgusting!
Really, UN?
hate to tell you guys, but uh…
Eating bugs?
Not gonna happen.
Ever.
At least not THIS girl.
Yuck!
Sifferlin
filled with flavonoids from a variety of brightly colored vegetables and fruits to help prevent and even treat many chronic illnesses. Most plants and fruits rely on flavonoid compounds for protection against the environment and to propagate and flourish. These same properties support human health by altering genetic expression and specifically targeting essential metabolic processes to ward off diseases such as cancer, dementia and the most prevalent killer of men and women, cardiovascular disease.
everything’s great. The food is okay, but you don’t want to be rude so you lie. It may not seem like a big deal, but when the check comes you’ll be overly generous with your tip. This is one example of how white lies actually affect your behavior. Psychologist Guy Winch, writing for Psychology Today, 
