Will Eating Grass Keep You Alive in a Survival Scenario? Or Make Things Worse?

In a survival situation, desperation can lead you to consider all kinds of wild options for food. When you’re starving and the landscape seems barren, the sight of grass stretching endlessly around you might seem like an inviting solution. After all, animals eat it, so why shouldn’t humans? Unfortunately, while grass may be all around you and easy to collect, it’s not the magical solution to hunger you might hope it to be.

Can Humans Digest Grass?

The simple truth is that human beings cannot digest grass in any meaningful way. While it’s technically edible in the sense that you can chew it and swallow it without dying on the spot, your body won’t gain any real nutrition from it. Grass contains cellulose, which is tough for the human digestive system to break down. Our stomachs are not equipped with the specialized biology that certain herbivores, like cows or goats, have developed. These animals are able to extract nutrients from grass thanks to their complex digestive systems, but humans simply can’t do the same.

Grass May Make You Sick

Another downside to consuming grass is that, even though it’s not poisonous, it can make you sick. If you eat enough of it, the fibrous texture and indigestibility might cause you to vomit or experience digestive discomfort. In a survival situation, where energy conservation is key and your body is already struggling, the last thing you want is to get sick or lose precious fluids through vomiting. This makes eating grass more of a liability than a survival strategy.

No Nutritional Value to Offer

Even if you manage to stomach the grass without getting sick, there’s still very little reward for your effort. Grass offers next to no nutritional value for humans. Sure, it might fill your belly and temporarily stave off the pangs of hunger, but your body won’t be getting the calories, protein, or fats it needs to keep functioning. In fact, relying on grass could leave you even weaker over time, as your body continues to burn through its reserves while gaining nothing from what you’re eating.

Grass Could Damage Your Teeth

Aside from the digestive issues, eating grass can also wear down your teeth. Grass contains minerals like silica that are tough on tooth enamel, and chewing through large quantities of grass can cause long-term damage to your teeth. In a survival situation, where dental care is out of the question, the last thing you want to do is damage your teeth. They are crucial tools for chewing and breaking down other, more beneficial survival foods.

The Dirty Truth About Grass

One often overlooked problem with grass is just how unsanitary it can be. Think about all the animals that walk on it, relieve themselves on it, or even die on it. Grass can harbor bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants that could make you sick if ingested. When you’re already in a survival scenario, the last thing you want is to introduce harmful bacteria into your system. This risk makes grass an even less appealing option for consumption.

Can Processing Grass Make It Edible?

If you’re thinking that cooking or otherwise processing the grass might make it more digestible or nutritious, think again. While cooking might soften the texture, it does nothing to reduce the cellulose content that makes grass indigestible for humans. And cooking certainly doesn’t add any nutritional value. So, while boiling grass might make it easier to chew, it won’t magically transform it into a life-saving meal. Your time and energy are better spent finding alternative food sources.

Are There Any Edible Grasses?

Despite all the negatives, there are a few exceptions when it comes to grass. Certain types, such as wheatgrass, alfalfa, or barley grass, can provide minimal nutritional benefits. However, these are not commonly found in most survival situations, and they only grow in specific regions. Additionally, you would still need to consume large amounts to get any meaningful nutrients. For most people, relying on these grasses in a survival scenario isn’t practical or likely to provide enough sustenance.

Harvesting Grass Seeds as a Last Resort

While eating grass itself is not viable, the seeds that some grasses produce can be eaten in a pinch. Sprouted grass seeds can offer a tiny amount of nutrition, but they require careful harvesting and preparation. Not all grass seeds are safe to eat – some can be toxic. Additionally, seeds that are moldy or discolored could cause serious illness. Gathering and processing enough seeds to make a meal would also take considerable time and effort, which might not be worth it if you’re in a desperate situation.

The Bottom Line on Eating Grass

In short, eating grass in a survival situation is not going to keep you alive. At best, it might trick your body into feeling full, but it won’t provide the nutrition your body needs to function. At worst, it could make you sick, wear down your teeth, and even expose you to harmful bacteria. Grass simply isn’t food for humans, no matter how desperate the situation may be. You’re far better off focusing on other survival strategies, such as foraging for edible plants, hunting small game, or even scavenging for insects, which offer far more nutritional benefits.

What to Do Instead of Eating Grass

If you find yourself in a survival situation where food is scarce, it’s important to know what your body needs to stay alive: calories, protein, and fats. Look for insects, which are often a great source of protein, or try to identify safe, edible plants in your environment. If you’re near water, fish can also be a valuable source of nutrition. In the end, surviving is about smart decisions, and trying to eat grass is simply not one of them. Instead, conserve your energy for finding food that will actually sustain you.

Desperate Times

What are your thoughts? In a survival situation, would you be willing to try eating something unconventional like grass, knowing it might not provide any nutrition? Why or why not? What other seemingly inedible plants might you consider trying in a desperate situation, and how would you assess their safety?