The Conservative Cave
Interests => All Things Edible (and how to prepare them) => Topic started by: CG6468 on May 03, 2012, 09:43:50 AM
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8 Bugs You Don't Know You're Eating
By David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding
May 01, 2012
I'm a big proponent of protein. Eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken for lunch, lightly seared filet of salmon for dinner—I can't get enough. But even I have a limit, and that limit generally begins about the time I see exoskeletons, tentacles, pinchers, or stingers sticking out of my food.
I realize that in some parts of the world, bugs are considered a reliable source of protein. But the people who eat those bugs do so willingly. It's a normal part of their diet. Here in the United States, we're pretty squeamish about chomping into insects or stabbing our forks into larvae. And that's why it might come as a shock to discover that, because of the FDA's lax food-safety regulations, your food might very well be crawling with creepy, slimy, buzzing things of all sorts. In fact, it's been estimated that the average person unintentionally eats a pound of insects every year. And I'm not talking about gummy worms here. I'm talking about real live (or formerly live) bugs.
With the help of Rodale.com writer Emily Main, we've identified a few of the more disgusting bugs infiltrating your food. Prepare to be grossed out.
Does this really bug you? (http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/grossest-bugs-you-dont-know-youre-eating)
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:bawl:
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No.
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I'd hate to know how many Mosquito larva, fresh water shrimp, etc. I've eaten/drank...........
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Does this really bug you? (http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/grossest-bugs-you-dont-know-youre-eating)
Hmmmm. Add to that all of the spiders you probably consume while sleeping and you got a pretty good cheap protein source! :-)
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Thrips
At anywhere from 1/25 to 1/8 of an inch long, these tiny little winged parasites are legally allowed in apple butter, canned or frozen asparagus, frozen broccoli, and frozen Brussels sprouts.
Aphids
Those same little green or black bugs that can destroy a bouquet of flowers can infiltrate your frozen veggies, particularly spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. And if you home-brew beer, you might consider growing your own hops: The FDA legally allows 2,500 aphids for every 10 grams of hops.
For all you Brussels sprouts fanatics -
You starting to see a pattern here? :puke: