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How to Eat Safely When Traveling The World
Traveling is about immersing yourself in a culture and experiencing the more extraordinary side of a country which people don't often get to see. Part of the fun of traveling is that you can try authentic dishes cooked in their native country, by those who know exactly how they're enjoyed. However, this authenticity can mean that these dishes are often cooked in a way which can upset your stomach, and if you're not used to eating these foods, you may experience sickness. To avoid ruining your trip without having to compromise on adventure, follow these simple rules.
Eat at restaurants
Via Pixabay
It can be tempting to try food from a street vendor. Street food has become a trendy way of eating on the go, and you can find some interesting authentic dishes cooked by street vendors which are often an inexpensive way to eat well. However, a lack of air conditioning and exposure to the outdoors makes contamination more likely. For peace of mind, stick to eating in restaurants.
Watch the Spice
Via Pixabay
Avoid hot curries and spicy foods while traveling if you are not used to lots of spice. The capsicin in chillies can irritate the stomach and cause severe cramps, and worse. It pays to do your research in order to find something that's not too spicy for you but still is authentic and local. For example, if you're in India and looking for a traditional curry, you could opt for paneer kadhai, which is spicy but not too hot. The creaminess of the paneer will offset any spice, and the kadhai dish is known for the aromatic spices as opposed to heat.
Drink only from sealed cans and bottles
Via Pixabay
Especially when it is really hot outside, it can be tempting to take a drink of water from the tap. If you're from a country which filtrates and treats their water, it can be really harmful to drink tap water in another country. This also applies to salads which may have been washed in the water, and even ice cubes. Opt for drinks from sealed cans or bottles, and ask for your drinks without ice when you're out and about.
Avoid alcohol in hot climates
Being on holiday is often a cue to let your hair down and enjoy a few drinks without having to worry about waking up for work in the morning. However, you should watch what you drink when the temperature is soaring. The dehydrating effects of alcohol can be quite dangerous in hot weather, especially in a country that you do not know. Many travel insurers will not cover travellers who were drunk at the time of the incident involved in their claim, so it is probably best to ditch the drink. If you have to, try to alternate every cool beer with a glass of (bottled) water.
Skip the Sushi
Via Pixabay
Sushi fiends might want to take note now. Raw fish across the globe may have different regulations attached to it from what you're used to at home. This can result in some nasty parasites being present in the food. This is probably the biggest danger when eating abroad. If in doubt, stick with cooked dishes, and when you're buying the groceries, look for fish which does not have a strong fishy smell and has bright eyes - a fishy smell actually means that the fish isn't very fresh, so it's not there in fresh fish.
It can be easy to panic about getting sick when you go on holiday, especially when you start to think about everything that could go wrong. You're traveling to soak up the culture and enjoy local cuisine, so use your head. If you fancy something from a street vendor, then go for it! Just don't say we didn't warn you...
Traveling is about immersing yourself in a culture and experiencing the more extraordinary side of a country which people don't often get to see. Part of the fun of traveling is that you can try authentic dishes cooked in their native country, by those who know exactly how they're enjoyed. However, this authenticity can mean that these dishes are often cooked in a way which can upset your stomach, and if you're not used to eating these foods, you may experience sickness. To avoid ruining your trip without having to compromise on adventure, follow these simple rules.
Eat at restaurants
Via Pixabay
It can be tempting to try food from a street vendor. Street food has become a trendy way of eating on the go, and you can find some interesting authentic dishes cooked by street vendors which are often an inexpensive way to eat well. However, a lack of air conditioning and exposure to the outdoors makes contamination more likely. For peace of mind, stick to eating in restaurants.
Watch the Spice
Via Pixabay
Avoid hot curries and spicy foods while traveling if you are not used to lots of spice. The capsicin in chillies can irritate the stomach and cause severe cramps, and worse. It pays to do your research in order to find something that's not too spicy for you but still is authentic and local. For example, if you're in India and looking for a traditional curry, you could opt for paneer kadhai, which is spicy but not too hot. The creaminess of the paneer will offset any spice, and the kadhai dish is known for the aromatic spices as opposed to heat.
Drink only from sealed cans and bottles
Via Pixabay
Especially when it is really hot outside, it can be tempting to take a drink of water from the tap. If you're from a country which filtrates and treats their water, it can be really harmful to drink tap water in another country. This also applies to salads which may have been washed in the water, and even ice cubes. Opt for drinks from sealed cans or bottles, and ask for your drinks without ice when you're out and about.
Avoid alcohol in hot climates
Being on holiday is often a cue to let your hair down and enjoy a few drinks without having to worry about waking up for work in the morning. However, you should watch what you drink when the temperature is soaring. The dehydrating effects of alcohol can be quite dangerous in hot weather, especially in a country that you do not know. Many travel insurers will not cover travellers who were drunk at the time of the incident involved in their claim, so it is probably best to ditch the drink. If you have to, try to alternate every cool beer with a glass of (bottled) water.
Skip the Sushi
Via Pixabay
Sushi fiends might want to take note now. Raw fish across the globe may have different regulations attached to it from what you're used to at home. This can result in some nasty parasites being present in the food. This is probably the biggest danger when eating abroad. If in doubt, stick with cooked dishes, and when you're buying the groceries, look for fish which does not have a strong fishy smell and has bright eyes - a fishy smell actually means that the fish isn't very fresh, so it's not there in fresh fish.
It can be easy to panic about getting sick when you go on holiday, especially when you start to think about everything that could go wrong. You're traveling to soak up the culture and enjoy local cuisine, so use your head. If you fancy something from a street vendor, then go for it! Just don't say we didn't warn you...
