{
  "id": 12930190,
  "title": "Are insects really 'poor people's food'?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/are-insects-really-poor-peoples-food",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-08T19:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-insects-poor-people-food.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the past, insects were not considered food in Europe and North America, but rather vermin or pests. However, in many other societies, insects have been consumed for centuries. A report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2013 highlighted the nutritional value of insects, showing that they have higher protein levels than other animals and are rich in vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids.\n\nPeople who eat insects do so mainly for their taste and not because they are starving. In fact, insects are rarely seen as famine food because they do not provide the same calories as starchy foods. Instead, they offer useful nutrients for populations with vitamin or mineral deficiencies or those who consume little animal protein.\n\nCultural factors guide people's choices when it comes to which insects to eat. In some societies, certain insects are considered delicacies, while others are not consumed at all. For example, in the Brazilian Nordeste region, certain ants are hunted and eaten, while in other parts of the world, insects like palm weevils and grasshoppers are appreciated for their unique flavors.",
  "summary": "Do people eat insects when there is nothing else to eat? Are insects really \"food for the poor\" or famine food?",
  "key_points": [
    "Insects were once considered vermin in Europe and North America.",
    "FAO report 2013 highlighted nutritional value of insects.",
    "Cultural factors influence which insects are eaten."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}