The Cricket Diet: Can Lower-Class Nutrition from Snowpiercer Sustain a 100% Cricket-Based Diet?

In the dystopian film Snowpiercer, the lower-class passengers of a perpetually moving train are fed a diet consisting solely of protein bars made from crickets. This raises an intriguing question: could humans survive on a diet based entirely on crickets? While the idea may seem far-fetched, it’s worth exploring the nutritional value of crickets and whether they could sustain human life.

Nutritional Value of Crickets

Crickets are a rich source of protein, with a 100-gram serving providing about 12.9 grams of protein. They also contain essential amino acids, vitamins such as B12 and B2, and minerals like iron and zinc. Crickets are also high in fiber, thanks to their exoskeletons made of chitin.

Challenges of a Cricket-Only Diet

Despite their nutritional value, relying solely on crickets for sustenance would pose several challenges. Firstly, crickets lack certain essential nutrients like Vitamin C and calcium. A deficiency of these nutrients could lead to health problems like scurvy and osteoporosis. Secondly, the high chitin content could be hard to digest for some people, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Supplementing a Cricket-Based Diet

To overcome the nutritional gaps in a cricket-based diet, one would need to supplement with other foods. Fruits and vegetables could provide the missing vitamins and minerals, while dairy or plant-based alternatives could supply the necessary calcium. However, in a scenario like Snowpiercer where these foods may not be available, it would be challenging to maintain a balanced diet.

Environmental Impact of Cricket Farming

While the idea of a cricket-based diet might not be appealing to many, it’s worth noting the environmental benefits of cricket farming. Crickets require significantly less land, water, and food than traditional livestock, and they produce fewer greenhouse gases. As such, incorporating crickets into our diets could be a sustainable way to meet the world’s growing protein needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it’s theoretically possible to survive on a diet of crickets, it wouldn’t be ideal from a nutritional standpoint. A balanced diet that includes a variety of foods is still the best way to ensure we get all the nutrients we need. However, as we strive to find more sustainable food sources, crickets and other insects could play a more significant role in our diets in the future.