Work

Fixing the bug in insect consumption

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: There is increasing acknowledgment that the environmental impact of the current global food supply system is unsustainable. Entomophagy—the consumption of insects as food—is gaining attention as a viable, sustainable food alternative. Yet, despite shifting positive attitudes towards entomophagy and supportive regulatory guidelines, few Westerners integrate insect-based food into their diet. A major reason underlying the focal attitude-behavior gap is that insect-based food elicits strong negative emotions. Two studies assess strategies for emotion regulation and, consequently, the increased trial and consumption of insect-based food. Study 1 demonstrates that distraction (but not reappraisal) enhances people’s willingness to sample insect-based food. Study 2 shows that humor—an operationalization of the distraction strategy—reduces negative emotional responses to communications about consuming insect-based food. Our findings offer valuable insights into how to facilitate people’s adoption of insect-based food. • Many Westerners refuse to eat insect-based foods due to negative emotions. • Emotion regulation through distraction can reduce disgust and increase consumption. • Humor can be used to distract from negative emotional reactions. • Insect consumption can be increased through distraction and humor interventions.

Source: Food Quality and Preference

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2025.105472

Authors: Johanna Palcu, Martin Schreier, Chris Janiszewski, Janet Kleber, Anthony Salerno

Institutions: Vienna University of Economics and Business, University of Florida, University of Klagenfurt, Vanderbilt University

Language: English

Topic: Insect Utilization and Effects

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,420