Foods that one cultural group feels are proper to eat may be rejected by another. For example, many people in the United States believe it is proper to eat beef. However, many cultures in India never eat beef. They believe cows are sacred. Some African cultures savor foods like blood, mice, and insects. Even though these foods are packed with nutrients and safe to eat, other cultures may not feel they are proper to eat. Focus on Food Bugs for Lunch! Insects are thought of as a delicious treat in many countries around the world. Grasshoppers are a delicacy in Japan. Grubs are popular in Zaire. Australian Aborigines enjoy bogong moths. Some people even eat roasted tarantulas! Travelers to Mexico City can dine at special restaurants that serve ancient Aztec dishes such as black ants in green sauce. Most people from the United States would be very surprised to see bugs on the menu. This is mainly because of our culture. Remember, culture teaches a person which foods are proper to eat and which are not. Our culture does not teach us to eat insects. Therefore, we do not develop a liking for insects at the dinner table. Another reason many people in the United States do not like insects is that they think insects are dirty and spread disease. It may surprise you to learn that many insects are leaf eaters and are very clean. Insects are packed with nutrients, too. Ounce for ounce, many insects provide more nutrients than meat. Not all insects can be eaten. Some, like cockroaches, carry disease. Others, like Monarch butterflies, are poisonous. Still others, like worker bees, do not taste very good. However, many, many bugs are delicious. For example, some ants taste like lemon drops. Others have a sweet and sour flavor. Do you remember this poem? I know an old lady who swallowed a fl y. Why, oh why, did she swallow that fl y? Now you know the answer. She probably was hungry! This fl avorful dish is made by frying crickets and tossing with vegetables. Niphon26/Shutterstock.com These honey pot ants taste like candy. They have diff erent fl avors, depending on what they have been eating. Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock.com Adventures in Food and Nutrition Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 12