Many people appear shocked, even disgusted, when they are presented with the idea of eating mealworms. They’ve never considered eating insects; bugs have always been in the “not food” category in their minds.
That’s a common reaction, but sometimes logic can overcome this social sense. Here are the top three reasons to eat mealworms:
1. They’re environmentally friendly. A mealworm farm takes up zero useful land. Mealworms can even be grown in a closet or under a bed.
2. They’re a good source of protein. Mealworms contain about 25% protein, and 12% fat (1).
3. They’re tasty! When toasted in the oven, mealworms taste just like roasted nuts or seeds. They’re particularly good covered in chocolate or sprinkled on soup.
Full disclosure
If you decide to start cooking and eating mealworms, please tell anyone you serve that there are insects in their food. Many people feel uncomfortable with the idea of eating bugs and wouldn’t like to try it. However, if you offer mealworm food along with an explanation of why you choose to eat insects, you may convince them to try.
Please treat mealworms as a real ingredient in food, and not a ‘prank’ food.
1. Ghaly AE and Alkoaik FN. The Yellow Mealworm as a Novel Source of Protein. Am J of Agri Biol Sci 2009; 4(4):319-331.
Just ate two, raw and alive. When they’re not cooked it tastes like slightly lemon, but very Cheesy… so it’s like a lemon cheese cake.
Will try cooking them next time.
Caution to readers – I don’t recommend eating live mealworms. The main reason is that I wouldn’t eat any animal while it’s alive. I also can’t endorse eating them live because of concerns about food hygiene. Thanks for the report, though, Jim!
I can buy Zophobas morio – Giant mealworm. Can I do the same with them as with the mealworm you described above.. I’ve eaten widgety grubs fried and they tasted like peanuts.
From what I know you can eat the giant mealworms, but I don’t think you can raise them very easily. Giant mealworms don’t turn into pupae very easily if they live too close to each other.
I’ve never eaten witchetty grubs. Did you eat them raw?
I just went and bought a giant bag of dried meal worms for the baby starling bird that I rescued. I didn’t even make it home before I tried one… Actually tasty – I grabbed a slice of cheese pizza and put some on it. good stuff.
Are those pet store mealworms? If so, are those ok for human consumption since I doubt the same regulations are enforced in hygiene?
I started my own farm with mealworms I bought at a pet store. I only started eating them after a couple of generations, though, to make sure I knew what had gone into them and how they were grown. Unfortunately, I don’t know of anywhere to buy human-food-grade mealworms currently.
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I just eat some on pretsals didn’t know they were on them can I die from them I’m really sketched out
You certainly can’t die from eating mealworms, don’t worry!
I bought an ‘I’m a celebrity’ themed packet of mealworms and shared them out at youth club thinking they were mealworm shaped biscuits… should have checked the packet!!! :O Actually tasted alright though…
I’m glad you thought they tasted good! Too bad you didn’t notice what they were first – I always recommend being clear that there are mealworms in food if there are.
Thanks for the info Abigale, All…
With global warming and GMOs, pesticides, I plan to check “bug” eating out. We need to learn to help to feed one another before the system collapses.