<p> Even as scientists explore possibilities of human settlement on the red planet, speculations are now on as to what could be the diet of the first human settlers in Mars.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"Initially, a vegetarian diet would seem logical as it is the simplest in terms of agricultural management," wrote noted author Doug Turnbull in Space.com.<br /><br />However, for a source of animal protein, the early Mars settlers might turn to grasshoppers.<br />"They have a tremendous advantage over many other meat sources because of their extremely efficient conversion of vegetable matter into insect protein," Turnbull was quoted as saying.<br /><br />A typical Mars cuisine could also include soyabeans, that could provide basic proteins. Greens, sprouts and even seaweed would be common sources of food.<br /><br />And mushrooms require little or no light, they could be excellent food source, Turnbull added.<br /><br />While not popular in most European countries and the Anglosphere, grasshoppers are a major source of animal protein in Asia, Africa and South America.<br /><br />Grasshoppers are twice as efficient when converting vegetable mass into protein as pigs, and five times as efficient as cattle.<br /><br />In addition, the husbandry associated with raising grasshoppers is relatively simple compared to that needed for cattle, chickens or hogs, and their rapid reproduction rate and short life cycle allows a stable and continuous harvest.<br /><br />It would be much easier to transport insects to Mars than to send large animals, Turnbull said.<br /></p>
<p> Even as scientists explore possibilities of human settlement on the red planet, speculations are now on as to what could be the diet of the first human settlers in Mars.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"Initially, a vegetarian diet would seem logical as it is the simplest in terms of agricultural management," wrote noted author Doug Turnbull in Space.com.<br /><br />However, for a source of animal protein, the early Mars settlers might turn to grasshoppers.<br />"They have a tremendous advantage over many other meat sources because of their extremely efficient conversion of vegetable matter into insect protein," Turnbull was quoted as saying.<br /><br />A typical Mars cuisine could also include soyabeans, that could provide basic proteins. Greens, sprouts and even seaweed would be common sources of food.<br /><br />And mushrooms require little or no light, they could be excellent food source, Turnbull added.<br /><br />While not popular in most European countries and the Anglosphere, grasshoppers are a major source of animal protein in Asia, Africa and South America.<br /><br />Grasshoppers are twice as efficient when converting vegetable mass into protein as pigs, and five times as efficient as cattle.<br /><br />In addition, the husbandry associated with raising grasshoppers is relatively simple compared to that needed for cattle, chickens or hogs, and their rapid reproduction rate and short life cycle allows a stable and continuous harvest.<br /><br />It would be much easier to transport insects to Mars than to send large animals, Turnbull said.<br /></p>