If you are starving to death in the wilderness, you may consider eating just about anything. Sure, our common diet of fast food and home cooking does not typically include creepy, crawly bugs, but extreme survival situations may allow you to broaden your culinary horizons and try something new.

Insects are the most abundant life form on earth, so it is easy to see why such bugs are easy to catch for food in nearly any environment and under any circumstances. Eating insects does have several advantages if you are stranded out in the wilderness in need of protein.

Bugs are high in protein. Beef, for example, only provides about 20% protein. Insects, on the other hand, provide between 65% and 80% protein. Despite the unappetizing quality, insects are a great source of food for the survivor. Eating insects will help to provide the energy you need to survive.

It is important to avoid eating adult insects that bite or sting. Brightly colored bugs are not a good idea for dinner. Hairy insects should be avoided. Spiders and flies frequently carry disease, so they should be avoided as food, too. Ticks are not fit for consumption. Caterpillars and mosquitoes do not make a great meal, either.

You can scavenge for insects near rotting logs. This is an excellent place to find termites, ants, grubs, and beetles. Insect nests that are in or on the ground are great places to locate food for survival. Insect larvae may also be eaten, if available in your area.

Insects with hard shells often have parasites. Remove barbed legs or wings before cooking these bugs. Mashing the insects into a paste may be helpful. Mix the paste with edible plants to help improve the taste. Some people find that preparing the insects in this manner helps to overcome the mental stigma associated with eating insects. This is the hardest part of the entire experience.

Experiment with the insects around you. All bugs will taste differently. Ants may have a sweet taste to them. Wood grubs are rather bland. The flavor of each bug will vary considerably. If several varieties of insects are abundant nearby, try some of each. Possibly one species in the variety will be more palatable than another.

Probably, bugs don’t tempt your taste buds daily, but they can be critical to your survival in an outdoor survival emergency. You need to be careful not to eat bugs that will harm you with stings or bites. Take advantage of the protein by consuming the insects in a paste or stew to improve the flavor. Your life rests upon your ability to remain healthy and nourished when fighting to survive.

Although the thought is initially unpleasant and unappealing, eating insects may be the key to survival until help arrives. Due to their abundance, insects are readily available until you can safely locate other sources of food for nourishment.