Answer to Question #322484 in History for Abhinav Pathak

Question

• What role did meat and insects play in humans' evolutionary past?
• How does the lack of meat affect people (nutritionally) in East Timor? How often do they typically eat meat and what types?
• How have other societies addressed the problem of dietary protein? 
• What does Kipp say about shipping non-traditional foods to First Nations People and culture? (Also Moffat and Mohammed on food being cultural)
• Based on the article, "Why Don't More Humans Eat Bugs?", do you think entomophagy would solve problems in East Timor from a dietary and cultural perspective? Or would it do harm? Explain.

Answer 1

a) Archaeological and palaeo-ontological evidence indicate that hominins increased meat consumption and developed the necessary fabricated stone tools while their brains and their bodies evolved for a novel foraging niche and hunting range, at least 3 million years ago. Insects possess an amazing diversity in size, form, and behavior. It is believed that insects are so successful because they have a protective shell or exoskeleton, they are small, and they can fly. Their small size and ability to fly permit escape from enemies and dispersal to new environments.

b) Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of undernutrition in the world – the highest in Asia and higher than in most African countries. Undernutrition can have devastating effects on children’s long-term development. The causes include low incomes, low agricultural productivity, food insecurity, limited access to health services and markets, and a lack of understanding of health and nutrition.

c) Interventions to prevent protein-energy malnutrition range from promoting breastfeeding to food supplementation schemes, whereas micronutrient deficiencies would best be addressed through food-based strategies such as dietary diversification through home gardens and small livestock.

Solutions would include;

Eat smaller meals and snacks more frequently.

Talk to your provider.

Avoid non-nutritious beverages such as black coffee and tea; instead, choose milk and juices.

Try to eat more protein and fat, and less simple sugars.

Walk or participate in light activities to stimulate your appetite.

d) They can compromise the nutritional value of many foods, especially those made from plants (like rice or flour). Some common anti-nutrients are phytic acid, tannins, and lectins. The exoskeleton, or “chitin,” of an insect has been found to have small amounts of these anti-nutrients. Insects can feed on bio-waste, such as food and human waste, compost, and animal slurry, and can transform this into high-quality protein that can be used for animal feed. Insects use significantly less water than conventional livestock. Mealworms, for example, are more drought-resistant than cattle.