# Am I the only one who can't eat shellfish because it looks to much like insects? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 24, 2017, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613 "2017-02-24T04:29:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/1 "2017-02-24T04:29:31Z")
Everyone it seems loves shellfish. Lobster, shrimp, langoustines, etc but I can’t eat them because they look too much like bugs. Examples: [Scorpion](http://www.scorpionpictureguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/giant-hairy-scorpion1.jpg) & [langoustine](http://www.inlandseafood.com/uploads/image/image/119/9a1d63767795d773.jpg) [lawn bugs](https://www.whatsthatbug.com/wp-content/uploads//2008/11/lawn_shrimp_lauren.jpg) & [seafood delicacy](https://www.chowstatic.com/blog-media/2015/04/Pink-Shrimp-KCRW.jpeg). I’m an adventurous eater, but won’t eat seafood unless I’m facing starvation. They are the gross disgusting repulsive insects of the sea. Does anyone else have this problem? ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/2 "2017-02-24T04:36:56Z")
Frustrating that I can’t edit it. Now grammar Nazis everywhere are cursing my pronoun antecedent disagreement :mad: ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/3 "2017-02-24T04:37:58Z")
I’ve noticed that lobsters are the cockroaches of the sea but I still eat them. I understand why someone would be put off. I suppose as long as I limit myself to well-cooked muscle, the disgust doesn’t kick in. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/4 "2017-02-24T04:39:45Z")
I’m okay with shrimp. With the heads off. But crawfish: ewwww. A pile of them with their little antennae–ugh. Way too much like cockroaches. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/5 "2017-02-24T04:43:41Z")
whats wrong with eating insects? crickets are delicious! mc ps: and to vs too ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/6 "2017-02-24T04:46:12Z")
I look at it the opposite way. People should regard insects as land crustaceans. I can happily eat insects if I think of them as just another kind of shellfish. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/7 "2017-02-24T04:50:23Z")
I wouldn’t call someone an adventurous eater if they didn’t feel comfortable eating insects, much less seafood. I eat almost anything, except a few things that taste really disgusting to me, but I can’t think of anything I won’t eat because I don’t like the way it looks. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/8 "2017-02-24T04:52:25Z")
I love seafood, especially lobsters and oysters but I have enjoyed everything from grasshoppers to fried ants as well. I would love to try some of those Asian scorpions sometime too. Have you ever been in a slaughterhouse, a fish processing facility or even a farm? Almost all animal products are disgusting in their pure state. They don’t just end up on an assembly line in a neat little package by magic. That is just reality; it doesn’t mean they don’t taste great. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/9 "2017-02-24T04:53:55Z")
I only eat bugs if starvation is near. Or hot off the grill at Benihana’s and slather it sauce. But that is it. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/10 "2017-02-24T05:02:39Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I look at it the opposite way. People should regard insects as land crustaceans. > > I can happily eat insects if I think of them as just another kind of shellfish. How I envy you free thinkers, unencumbered by irrational hangups. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/11 "2017-02-24T05:07:14Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I love seafood, especially lobsters and oysters but I have enjoyed everything from grasshoppers to fried ants as well. I would love to try some of those Asian scorpions sometime too. > > Have you ever been in a slaughterhouse, a fish processing facility or even a farm? Almost all animal products are disgusting in their pure state. They don’t just end up on an assembly line in a neat little package by magic. That is just reality; it doesn’t mean they don’t taste great. Yes I’ve been to a slaughter house and still eat meat (except for veal). Been to a fish processing facility and still eat fish (except for non dolphin safe tuna), and I’ve been to plenty of farms. But insects of the sea are another story. Another example: [Giant horrifying bug](https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/gfx/news/hires/2016/2-whatdoaliens.jpg) &[lobster](https://sc02.alicdn.com/kf/UT835cKXPNXXXagOFbXY/LIVE-SPINY-LOBSTERS.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/12 "2017-02-24T05:25:05Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > Everyone it seems loves shellfish. Lobster, shrimp, langoustines, etc but I can’t eat them because they look too much like bugs. … > I’m an adventurous eater, but won’t eat seafood unless I’m facing starvation. They are the gross disgusting repulsive insects of the sea. Does anyone else have this problem? This is exactly my issue. I won’t eat crab or lobster because of that, even though I do eat shrimp (part of my diet before I made the connection) and even though I think that eating insects is actually a very sensible sustainable source of protein for humans. Other humans, that is: no way will I ever. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/13 "2017-02-24T05:31:19Z")
[Roly poly](http://previews.123rf.com/images/santia5/santia51303/santia5130300016/18721778-Pill-bug-Armadillidium-vulgare-roly-poly-lying-on-its-back-Stock-Photo.jpg) vs. [cute widdle giant isopod](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F6a%2F00%2F89%2F6a008914bfe6dbdf7f46d034ed6f8638.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fexplore%2Fgiant-isopod%2F&docid=OcM2rRMxkW2MMM&tbnid=2hLhhMgYtc9HQM%3A&vet=1&w=636&h=357&bih=1182&biw=1343&q=giant%20isopod&ved=0ahUKEwiui9KU_6fSAhUU2WMKHYEnDRoQMwhBKAkwCQ&iact=mrc&uact=8#h=357&imgrc=2hLhhMgYtc9HQM:&vet=1&w=636). ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/14 "2017-02-24T05:35:00Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > This is exactly my issue. I won’t eat crab or lobster because of that, even though I do eat shrimp (part of my diet before I made the connection) and even though I think that eating insects is actually a very sensible sustainable source of protein for humans. Other humans, that is: no way will I ever. Thank god for you Dr. Drake. I am not alone 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/15 "2017-02-24T05:53:00Z")
OP: You are not alone. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/16 "2017-02-24T06:35:10Z")
I think there is an xkcd on the subject that I’m too lazy to search for and link to. ---
**Author:** ![kk\_fusion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kk_fusion/32/15276_2.png) [@kk\_fusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kk_fusion)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/17 "2017-02-24T10:46:09Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > I think there is an xkcd on the subject that I’m too lazy to search for and link to. [Food Rule](https://xkcd.com/1587/)? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/18 "2017-02-24T11:14:09Z")
Nope. Something about calling lobsters the spiders of the sea? Maybe i hallucinated it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/19 "2017-02-24T11:29:52Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I look at it the opposite way. People should regard insects as land crustaceans. > > I can happily eat insects if I think of them as just another kind of shellfish. Me too - I’ve started eyeing up the local wildlife for its culinary potential. I guess I might have a problem with the texture of some larger insects, as it seems generally the case that insects are less ‘meaty’ inside than the commonly-eaten parts of most crustaceans - and If something doesn’t taste nice, I’m not likely to eat it twice. My experience of eating small insects has been generally positive - I actually caught grasshoppers in a field one time, then fried them up and ate them - they were really good. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2017, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613/20 "2017-02-24T11:59:11Z")
Insects might be fine, in theory, but they aren’t the same as shellfish. With insects, you’re eating the shell, too. I don’t eat a lobster’s shell. That’s why I’m thinking that smaller insects make more sense. Chewing a praying mantis’s shell is going to be a time consuming, and not so appetizing, proposition. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-cant-eat-shellfish-because-it-looks-to-much-like-insects/780613.md?page=2)