EATING BUGS

Stars are buzzing about the revitalizing perks of insect-infused foods. But can noshing on bugs really increase energy and speed fat loss? Wellness expert Jorge Cruise weighs in

During the Halloween season, we delight in spooky treats, like radishes made to look like eyeballs and spaghetti “brains”…but the latest food fad from Hollywood takes things up a notch: Tinseltown beauties including Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie have shared that they love snacking on insects — both for the health benefits and the nutty flavor!

While eating bugs is just gaining popularity in the states, insect appetizers actually date back thousands of years. In 8th century Mesopotamia, locusts were served at royal banquets. And in ancient Greece, cicadas were a delicacy.

Now modern science shows that the little bites come with big benefits. A 1⁄ cup serving

2 of grasshoppers has roughly the same amount of protein as the same size serving of chicken breast. That’s a plus since protein-packed foods can increase metabolism and cut appetite by as much as 298 percent.

Fans of the trend also point out that insects are an impressive source of energizing nutrients: Some varieties contain more iron than spinach, twice the vitamin B12 of salmon and nearly five times as much magnesium as beef. Crickets and grasshoppers are especially rich in omega-3s, which ease joint pain by 60 percent.

“The little grasshoppers have a smoky flavor to them. It’s the way they cook them and it’s really good.” Salma Hayek, 51

While bugs are served as street food in many countries, food manufacturers are now jumping on the bug bandwagon, selling “flour” (also called “powder”) made from crickets and mealworms. The flour, which has a mild, nutty flavor, can be mixed into smoothies and snack bars or used to replace up to one-third of the flour in recipes to create protein-rich baked treats. It can also be found in prepackaged snack products like Exo Protein bars.

Experts note that if you’re interested in trying the trend, it’s key to select a product that lists the bugs or bug flour as one of its first ingredients or you may miss out on the benefits. But use caution: Despite the nutty taste, insects are actually more closely related to shellfish than nuts and seeds. As a result, people who are allergic to shellfish or dust mites should proceed with care. With potential reaction symptoms ranging from rashes and itching to nausea and anaphylactic shock, it’s best for allergy-prone women to consult with a physician before trying.