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The Gen Z Young Man Carlos, 26, from Chicago, Appeared on TLC’s My Strange Addiction Saying He Ingests Up to 100 Live Insects Per Day. He Buys a Mix of Mealworms and Cockroaches for $8, Compares Crickets to Delicacies, and Heard Warnings About Infections, Toxins, and Severe Brain Risks
The Gen Z young man Carlos, 26, from the Chicago area, has taken an already strange behavior to an extreme: eating insects. On the My Strange Addiction show on TLC, he claimed that he ingests up to 100 live insects per day, including mealworms and live cockroaches, describing his sensations and food preferences directly.
The case has raised alarms due to health risks mentioned by a clinical professional, as well as a delicate family context. The Gen Z young man appears unemployed, while his partner, Ashley, the mother of his young daughter, expresses concern about his health and the financial impact of the habit, which includes purchases at a specialized store.
Who is the Gen Z Young Man and How the Case Was Exposed on TV
The Gen Z young man introduces himself as Carlos, 26 years old, from the Chicago area, and demonstrates in the episode a routine centered on eating live insects. In one scene, he claims that mealworms are among his favorites and compares the taste to “buttered popcorn,” before eating a handful.
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In the promotional material for the episode, he also compares crickets to a “vegetarian delicacy” and describes preferences for texture and mouthfeel. The way he narrates the habit is part of the impact, as it includes the idea that the movement of the insects is “gratifying” and different from other foods.
Up to 100 Live Insects Per Day and the Annual Cost Mentioned in the Episode
The most repeated point is the scale. The Gen Z young man claims to eat up to 100 live insects per day. The show’s producers note that this would amount to 30,000 insects per year, comparing this total to the approximate weight of a Thanksgiving turkey.
In addition to mealworms, the episode mentions the consumption of mealworm larvae and live cockroaches. In another segment, he associates the habit with a feeling of control and states that when chewing live insects, he feels like “the master of the fate” of the prey, describing an “instinctive and primitive” side of this behavior.
The Routine, the Cost, and the Impact at Home
Even though they are insects, the practice is not described as cheap. In the episode, the Gen Z young man is seen spending $8 on a mix of mealworms and cockroaches at a specialized reptile store.
His partner, Ashley, reports that she initially thought it was “cute,” but over time realized that the habit has become a “crutch.” The picture shown is one of domestic tension: the Gen Z young man continues to eat insects, while she shows discomfort and concern, especially since there is a young daughter in the family unit.
The Clinical Evaluation and the Risks Mentioned for Human Health
The Gen Z young man visits an alternative medicine clinic in Wisconsin and speaks with nurse Nanette Cambronero, trying to argue that the habit “is no problem” because more than 70% of countries worldwide consume insects.
The professional’s response emphasizes a central difference: in some cultures, eating insects may be accepted, but insects are prepared. According to her, by ingesting live insects, a person may contaminate their body with active parasitic and bacterial infections.
Nanette also states that toxins from insects could infiltrate the bloodstream, with a risk of multiple organ failure, and cites studies linking parasitic infections to brain involvement, potentially contributing to chronic conditions similar to early-onset dementia. She recommends eating dead insects instead of live ones and avoiding cockroaches, mentioned as potential carriers and transmitters of harmful bacteria.
What the Gen Z Young Man Admits to Feeling and the Update After Filming
Although he appears to be healthy in other aspects, the Gen Z young man reports that he sometimes experiences heart palpitations. He also acknowledges that he had no idea of the full extent of the possible damage and says he wants to change, but still enjoys the habit a lot.
Later, he informs The Post that he has significantly reduced the pace since filming and describes that period as “contained,” stating that although there are remnants, it is no longer something he engages in intentionally.
Do you think the case of the Gen Z young man is primarily a health issue and biological risk, or a sign of compulsive behavior that needs constant monitoring?
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