Defining the Ento-Vegetarian
To understand what do you call a vegetarian who eats insects, it's necessary to first define the established dietary frameworks. A vegetarian typically avoids all forms of meat, which includes fish and poultry. The term 'ento-vegetarian' is a modern, unofficial label for someone who makes an exception to their plant-based diet to include edible insects. It is a dietary approach that falls outside the traditional definition of vegetarianism, as insects are animals, but it is embraced by some for specific ethical, nutritional, or environmental reasons.
Motivations for Choosing an Ento-Vegetarian Diet
Individuals who identify as ento-vegetarians are often driven by a blend of motivations that prioritize sustainability and nutrition over the strict interpretation of avoiding all animal products. Their reasoning often includes:
- Environmental Impact: Insects require significantly fewer resources like land and water, and produce far less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional livestock. For those whose primary motivation for vegetarianism is the planet's health, eating insects can align with their values.
- Nutritional Density: Edible insects are a powerhouse of nutrition, offering high-quality protein, essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), and critical micronutrients like iron, zinc, and especially vitamin B12, which is often deficient in strictly plant-based diets.
- Ethical Considerations: The ethical debate often centers on insect sentience. Some argue that insects' simple nervous systems mean they don't experience pain in the same way as vertebrates, making their consumption a more ethically sound choice than eating larger animals. However, this is a contested point within the vegetarian and vegan communities.
- Adventure and Culinary Exploration: With the rise of insect-based products like cricket flour and insect-based protein bars, some individuals are simply curious about new food sources and flavors. Trying entomophagy is a way to explore culinary trends while making a potentially more sustainable choice.
The Nutritional Edge: Insects vs. Plants for Ento-Vegetarians
Including insects in a plant-based diet can help address certain nutritional deficiencies, especially concerning B12, which is naturally occurring only in animal products.
Nutritional Comparison: Plant vs. Insect Protein
| Nutrient | Typical Plant Source (e.g., lentils) | Typical Insect Source (e.g., crickets) |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Content | ~23% dry weight | ~60% dry weight |
| Vitamin B12 | Usually none (unless fortified) | Rich source (190% of RDA per serving of cricket powder) |
| Iron | Non-heme (less bioavailable) | Heme iron (highly bioavailable) |
| Calcium | Variable (bioavailability affected by oxalates) | Rich source (bioavailable) |
| Fatty Acids | High in some nuts/seeds | Ideal ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 |
Practicalities of an Ento-Vegetarian Diet
For those considering this dietary shift, here are some ways to incorporate insects:
- Incorporate Insect Flours: Cricket or mealworm flours can be blended into baked goods, smoothies, or protein shakes to add a nutritional boost without drastically altering the flavor.
- Use Whole or Processed Insects: Roasted crickets, grasshoppers, or flavored insect snacks are available for more adventurous palates. These can be used as toppings for salads or incorporated into other recipes.
- Look for Fortified Products: As the market grows, more products will contain insect protein without the whole insect being visible, which helps to overcome psychological barriers for some.
Ethical and Environmental Differences
Even within the ethical framework, there is a significant difference between raising insects and conventional livestock. For example, insects are ectothermic (cold-blooded), so they use significantly less energy to regulate their body temperature, resulting in higher feed conversion efficiency. When crickets are harvested, they are often frozen in a state of torpor (diapause), which is considered by many to be a more humane method than the slaughter of larger livestock. This perceived low level of sentience and resource efficiency is why some environmental- and health-focused vegetarians adopt this diet.
The Future of the Ento-Vegetarian
With growing global populations and increasing pressure on food systems, entomophagy offers a practical and sustainable solution for protein production. The ento-vegetarian diet represents a modern evolution of dietary consciousness, balancing plant-based principles with an efficient, low-impact animal protein source. It is an acknowledgment that sometimes, the most sustainable and nutritious path involves a creative re-evaluation of food sources, even if it redefines a traditional label. Whether it becomes a widespread trend or remains a niche choice, the ento-vegetarian demonstrates a dynamic approach to eating responsibly.
Conclusion
While a traditional vegetarian strictly avoids all animal flesh, a vegetarian who eats insects can be called an ento-vegetarian or entotarian, a designation that acknowledges their plant-focused diet with a single animal-based exception. This choice is rooted in pragmatic considerations, such as gaining access to highly sustainable and nutrient-dense protein, rather than the ethical objections typically associated with meat consumption. This path highlights the complexities of modern dietary classifications, where personal ethics, health needs, and environmental impact all play a role in defining one's food choices.
