The Conversation notes that Cameroon, Nigeria, and other countries located in Africa practice entomophagy or eating insects more than any other sector of the world. Insects not only provide a significant amount of nutrition, but the practice of entomophagy helps alleviate the stress of potential food insecurity. Additionally, the University of Edinburgh predicts the market for edible insects will only expand in the U.S. and Europe. There is already one Finland bakery that makes bread from crushed crickets. Recent research from the University of Helsinki discovered that if more people in Europe engaged in entomophagy, citizens could significantly reduce their direct impact on the environment. Maybe insects aren’t the most popular protein source in America or Europe, but if they have the potential to reduce our carbon footprint, does that mean they get the green light from vegans?
Unfortunately, one 2019 survey from Vomad found that only 9.7% of almost 13,000 participants follow a vegan diet for environmental reasons. Also, Earth.com reminds us that insects are still animals and the cardinal rule of veganism is to abstain from the cruelty, use, and general consumption of all living beings. All in all, while it’s true that most vegans use their own judgment, insects are typically off-limits. Finding out vegans can’t eat insects may not come as a surprise, but there are plenty of other restricted foods that will surprise you.