Nautritional Value of Chitin?

[MCBushbaby]

I'm watching "Bear Eats" on Discovery Channel, which is basically a montage recap of all the weird stuff he ate over the seasons, and he eats a giant grasshopper whole (minus head). Now, I understand insects are great for calories but I don't see any nutritional value of easting the wings. Other than maybe, MAYBE, some capillaries 90% of it is chitin. Is there any reason not to pluck the wings and just eat the body? Likewise with eating the twiggy legs (not the muscle-ly portion)?

[Stealth]

chitin is a long chained sugar that can be broken down into glucose by your body so it has some beneficial nutrition. i think if you are already eating a grasshopper, you shouldnt really be picky if you are eating the wings or not though:-p

[Rick]

More Bear Bull, huh? Well, I doubt I'd eat the wings and legs. Here's an article on how early man did it. Good article.

http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/3397

[RobertRogers]

Yep, they are tasty. I eat them - http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/survival-foraging-on-the-move/

[Rick]

Good article. Slugs will not be on the menu. Sorry.

[Pan]

I've eaten plenty of grasshoppers. I always pull the wings and legs. Dont know why realy i guess same reason i dont eat popcorn kernals. Dont like them stuck in the back of my throat. Never minded heads though.