Actress Salma Hayek Films Herself Eating A Cricket, But Is Eating Insects A Good Idea?

Salma Hayek Eats A Cricket, But Is Munching Insects A Good Idea?

Bizarre celebrity diets are nothing new, yet Salma Hayek has still managed to surprise the internet with her choice of food.

The Hollywood actress, 48, uploaded a video of herself eating a cricket on her Instagram page on Sunday.

"These are crickets from Mexico, from Oaxaca, and they are eaten," she told her 54,000 followers.

While many commenting on Instagram have called the video "disgusting", Hayek isn't the only celebrity chowing down on creepy crawlies.

Angelina Jolie has previously said her children love snacking on crickets and Shailene Woodley has hailed bugs as "the future for food".

"Entomophagy (eating insects) has been the norm in many countries for as long as anyone can remember," Jo Travers from of The London Nutritionist tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

"In Africa, Asia and Latin America, people routinely eat them raw or cooked."

Research suggest entomophagy has a range of health benefits, including staving off obesity, because insects are packed with protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and essential minerals.

According to a 2013 report published by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization, the most popular species of edible insects are, in descending order, beetles, caterpillars, bees, wasps, ants, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets.

Ryan Chetiyawardana, who's previously spoken in favour of entomophagy, told HuffPost UK Lifestyle that there are less ethical issues to consider when eating insects than there are when eating other meats.

He explained: "They produce a fraction of the greenhouse gases, they can be grown vertically in urban environments and slaughter is much more humane."

Will you be copying Salma Hayek and giving entomophagy a go? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @HuffPoLifestyle

Chapulines fundido

Facts About Edible Insects

Close