Food Poisoning When Travelling
5 Ways To Prevent Food Poisoning When Travelling
Embarking on an adventure to exotic locales, sampling local delicacies, and immersing yourself in new cultures is the essence of travel. But, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of trotting the globe, it’s that food poisoning doesn’t discriminate. It’s the uninvited companion you want to avoid crashing your travel party. From bustling street food stalls in Bangkok to high-end eateries in Singapore, I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with those pesky microbes, turning dream vacations into something out of a survival reality show.
In this post, you’ll discover:
- The common culprits behind food poisoning
- How your gut microbiome affects your susceptibility
- Practical tips to prevent food poisoning while travelling
So, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first international trip, this guide is your first step towards keeping those travel tales about the sights and sounds, not the bouts with the porcelain throne.
Let’s get started.
What causes food poisoning?
Food poisoning, a common and often distressing experience, is caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages.
The culprits behind this contamination are usually microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, or their toxins.
An interesting aspect of food poisoning is its relation to the gut microbiome — the complex community of microorganisms living in the digestive tracts of humans and other animals.
Your gut microbiome is crucial to overall health, influencing digestion, immunity, and mood.
Travel exposes you to a new environment with a different microbiome, including other bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
The locals have adapted to their environment’s microbiome, but your gut might have a different tolerance or immunity to the local microorganisms.
This discrepancy can make you more susceptible to food poisoning when you consume local foods and beverages your body isn’t used to.
The implications of this are significant. It means that even food considered safe and healthy for locals might pose a risk to travellers.
This is why travellers are often advised to be cautious with raw foods, tap water, and street food in areas where food and water safety standards may differ from what they’re accustomed to.
Vicky Thakur
Hey, I’m Vicky, welcome to my little corner of www.travelshunt.com. and I guess this is the place where I tell you about how I’m fixated on investigating the world, meeting astonishing individuals, and getting as lost as conceivable with my camera.
Preparation is key
Remember, while exploring new cuisines and cultures is a thrilling part of travelling, it comes with its set of risks, food poisoning being a prime concern.
There’s no guaranteed way to avoid it entirely, but with the proper preparation, you can significantly reduce your discomfort and quickly bounce back to continue your adventures.
1. Buy sufficient travel insurance.
Travel insurance isn’t just a safety net; it’s a necessity. While most travel insurance covers medical expenses, including those arising from food poisoning, the level of coverage can vary significantly. Before you set off:
- Research and Compare: Spend time understanding how to choose a travel insurance policy. Look beyond the price and examine what’s covered. Specifically, check if food poisoning is included under medical expenses. Not all policies are created equal, and you’ll want one that offers comprehensive coverage.
- Understand Claim Limits: The cost of medical care can vary wildly from one country to another. In some destinations, healthcare is notoriously expensive. Ensure the claim limits of your policy reflect the potential costs in your destination. It’s better to have a higher limit and not need it than to find yourself out of pocket.
2. Pack essential medication
Having a basic travel health kit is invaluable, and when it comes to food poisoning, a few critical medications can make all the difference:
- Consult Your Doctor: Before you travel, chat with your doctor. They can prescribe medications to treat symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. They can also advise on any vaccinations recommended for your destination.
- Understanding Your Medications: Knowing how and when to use the medications you’re bringing along is crucial. Your doctor can guide you on this. For instance, anti-diarrheal medications can be helpful in certain situations but aren’t always recommended, as they can sometimes prolong the infection.
3. Have hand sanitisers and rehydration sachets
In the battle against food poisoning, prevention is your first line of defence. Here’s how hand sanitisers and rehydration sachets can help:
- Hand Sanitizers: Always keep a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol content with you. It’s convenient when soap and water aren’t available. Use it before eating, using the bathroom, and touching surfaces in public areas. It’s a simple yet effective way to kill germs that could lead to food poisoning.
- Rehydration Sachets: Staying hydrated is vital if you fall victim to food poisoning. Rehydration sachets contain a precise blend of salts and sugars that help your body absorb fluids more efficiently than water alone. They can quickly help replenish lost fluids and electrolytes, aiding in a faster recovery. Pack a few in your travel health kit, and use them according to the package instructions if you start showing symptoms of dehydration.
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5 Ways to Prevent Food Poisoning When Travelling
Travelling opens up a world of experiences, including indulging in local cuisines that tantalise your taste buds. However, it also brings the risk of food poisoning, a surefire way to put a damper on your adventures.
But fear not!
You can significantly reduce your chances of spending precious travel time sidelined with a few innovative practices. Here are five ways to keep food poisoning at bay and ensure your travel memories are filled with joy, not sickness.
1. Practice good hand hygiene and eat only cooked foods.
The mantra here is simple: clean hands, safe food. Always wash your hands with soap and water before eating, using the restroom, and touching surfaces in public places.
When soap and water aren’t available, a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol is a good backup.
As for food, stick to items that are cooked and served hot.
High temperatures kill most bacteria and viruses, making hot meals your safest bet.
Be cautious with street food; opt for vendors where you can see food being cooked on the spot and served piping hot.
2. Pay attention to signs of food hygiene
Observing the cleanliness of the place you’re eating can give you clues about the potential risk.
A clean eating environment and staff who follow basic hygiene practices (like wearing gloves or using utensils to handle food) are good signs.
If you see food being left out in the open, exposed to flies, or if the place doesn’t feel clean, trust your instincts and dine elsewhere.
3. Drink only clean water & ice
Water is a common source of pathogens that cause food poisoning.
To stay safe, drink bottled water or water that has been boiled or treated.
Be cautious with ice, too; it should be made from clean or bottled water.
When in doubt, skip the ice.
Beverages like hot tea or coffee made with boiled water are generally safe options.
4. Be wary of dairy
Dairy products can be tricky. Dairy products are susceptible to contamination in places where refrigeration might be inconsistent.
Stick to pasteurised milk and dairy products, and avoid items like soft cheeses that don’t need refrigeration.
Avoiding dairy altogether is better if you need more clarification about the storage conditions.
5. Eat plenty of local fruits to build gut bacteria
This might sound counterintuitive, but gradually introducing local fruits into your diet can help your gut adapt to the local microbiome.
This is something that I always do when travelling to a new country – I look for fruits and fruit juices, and will consume loads of them in my first few days.
Just make sure to choose fruits that can be peeled, like bananas, oranges, and mangoes, so you’re not exposed to bacteria on the surface.
Washing fruits with clean water before peeling them adds an extra layer of safety.
By following these five tips, you’re protecting yourself against food poisoning and ensuring that your travel experiences are as rich and fulfilling as possible. Remember, caution goes a long way in keeping your travels happy and healthy.
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Conclusion
So, what’s the takeaway from all this?
While food poisoning can put a real damper on your travel plans, being aware of what causes it and understanding that your gut might need a bit of time to adjust to new culinary landscapes can go a long way.
It’s all about balancing savouring new flavours and being mindful of what and where you eat.
Remember, caution and preparation can help ensure your travel stories are about the adventures, not the time you spent getting cosy with the hotel bathroom.
Safe travels and happy eating!
Author Bio
Firdaus Syazwani, the adventure-loving soul behind DollarBureau.com, combines his passion for exploring the world with savvy personal finance tips. He’s dedicated to guiding fellow travellers on how to enjoy life’s adventures without breaking the bank, ensuring every journey is memorable and financially savvy.
Vicky Thakur
Travel Blogger