We Learnt One Thing From Last Night's Premiere of "Love Island Australia": The Word "Kangatarian"

2018 is the Year of the Kangatarian.

Let's be honest here. We don't watch reality television to learn new terms or be exposed to new ideas, but for those watching the premiere of Nine's Love Island Australia last night, both of those things actually happened.

One contestant, while trying his best to flirt and act while multiple HD cameras and an entire film crew were watching, let slip he's a kangatarian.

He explained that a kangatarian is someone who eats fish and kangaroos because "kangaroos aren't farmed."

Everyone was equal parts confused and curious.

I heard ‘Kangatarian’ and had to check Twitter #LoveIslandAU

— Jen (@hertherevrywher) May 27, 2018

Now, while some would cringe at the idea of eating kangaroo meat (because they're generally so damn cute), it's actually a valid idea.

That's because eating kangaroo meat lowers your carbon footprint and is leaner than other meats like beef and lamb.

According to Dr Paige van der Pligt from Deakin University's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, kangaroos affect the environment less than introduced species like sheep and cows.

"It also makes sense to eat species that are naturally more resilient and able to respond to Australia's boom-and-bust cycles," van der Plight explained.

"Kangaroos can forage on our ancient and typically nutrient-poor soils without the need for nutritional supplements, and are physiologically more efficient at conserving water in the prevailing arid and semi-arid conditions."

But, overpopulation of kangaroos in Australia also has a destructive effect on the native habitat. There are efforts to cull the population each year by about 15 to 20 per cent and that meat is then usually sold as pet food, with only 30 to 40 per cent of it sold for human consumption.

"By harvesting this sometimes overabundant wild animal, we may be able to reduce their impacts on ecosystems, which include overgrazing," van der Plight said.

So, next time you go to purchase a big slab of cow or pig meat, maybe consider the small section dedicated to kangas. 

Photo: Nine Network / iStock.com/bradleyblackburn