Are insects nutritious ? Edible Insects are low in fat , low in calories and low in carbohydrates, making them suitable for low-carb diets too. But are insects nutritious? Kilo for kilo, most edible insects have 3 times as much proteins and 30 times more vitamin B12 than beef. In addition, many insects are also rich in good fats and they are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals. These includes calcium, iron, zinc, omegas and amino acids. Besides being rich in high-quality protein, the exoskeleton of edible insects contains chitin, a type of dietary fibre that has been shown to supports gut health.