Big Brother producers have plans to supplement the stringent diet of housemates with live insects according to Friday Night Live host Mike Goldman.
Writing in the Courier-Mail the bombastic Big Brother stalwart says grasshoppers are among the treats housemates will have to devour during this week’s FNL to win.
The housemate who wins the games becomes “Head of House” and receives double the eviction points, gets to save a housemate in the bottom three from eviction and gets access to the “Strategy room”.
In past years of Friday Night Live housemates have had to eat fish eyes, pig testicles, grubs, onions, ox tongues and pig snouts.
Concerns have been raised about the current diet of housemates who are on meagre rations after failing last week’s cricket task.
All they have to make meals from is 13 food items; flour, salt, yeast, sugar, canola oil, brown rice, rolled oats, spinach, tinned peas, milk powder, chicken mince, baked beans and fruit.
Dieticians Association of Australia spokesperson Melanie McGrice said while the stringent diet met protein, energy and fibre requirements it was lacking in calcium and fresh vegetables.
“The Australian guide to healthy eating recommends five servings of fresh vegetables,” says McGrice.
“And we recommend people eat a wide variety of different colours of vegetables to make sure they get the right nutrients.”
Big Brother uses food as a tool to reward and control housemates.
A spokesperson for the show said the staple foods on the show are well over the minimum dietary requirements and includes fresh fruit.
“The housemates could survive easily on the staples for the entire series if needed,” the spokesperson said.
