Nutritional value of edible insects (as fresh matter)
| Source | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Calcium | Iron | Zinc | Potassium | Niacin | Magnesium | B12 (mcg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket | 20.5 | 6.8 | 40.7 | 1.9 | 6.7 | 347 | 3.8 | 33.7 | 5.4 |
| Mealworm | 23.7 | 5.4 | 23.1 | 2.2 | 4.6 | 340 | 5.6 | 60.6 | 0.5 |
| Waxworm | 14.1 | 24.9 | 24.3 | 5 | 2.5 | 221 | 3.7 | 31.6 | 0.1 |
| Soldier Fly Larvae | 17.5 | 14 | 934.2 | 6.6 | 13 | 453 | 7.1 | 40 | 5.5 |
| Silkworm | 9.3 | 1.4 | 17.7 | 1.6 | 3.1 | 316 | 2.6 | 49.8 | 0.1 |
| Cockroach nymph | 19 | 10 | 38 | 1.4 | 3.2 | 224 | 4.4 | 50 | 23.7 |
| Earthworm | 10.5 | 1.6 | 44 | 5.4 | 1.7 | 182 | N/A | 13.6 | N/A |
| House Fly | 19.7 | 1.9 | 76 | 12.5 | 8.5 | 303 | 9 | 80.6 | 0.6 |
| Chicken, skinless | 21 | 3 | 12 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 229 | 8.2 | 25 | 0.4 |
| Beef, 90% lean, ground | 26.1 | 11.7 | 13 | 2.7 | 6.3 | 333 | 5.6 | 22 | 2.1 |
| Fish, Atlantic Wild Salmon | 19.8 | 6.3 | 12 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 490 | 7.8 | 29 | 3.2 |
Values compiled from nutritional studies by Marke Finke, Dennis Oonincx, Julieta Ramos-Elorduy, May Berenbaum, and the USDA.
Figures are mg/100g, unless otherwise noted
N/A : Not applicable, trace amounts
Excerpted from “Edible: An Adventure into the World of Eating Insects and the Last Great Hope to Save the Planet” with permission of the publisher.
© 2014 by Daniella Martin.