One of the worst things that can happen on a dream trip is getting sick with a stomach issue. Whether it’s a case of food poisoning or something worse, spending your vacation time stuck in your hotel room sick is not the best way to see a new place. If you prepare ahead of time, you can avoid potential ailments from the local cuisine. Here are the best tips to help your stomach get through an exotic vacation.Eight things that you can d to avoid the common stomach problems while traveling.In this blog post you will learn about travel health.
Travel Health – 8 Tips to Avoid Having Stomach Problems While Traveling
1. For Good Travel Health Drink Bottled Water
In many places around the world, the local drinking water is not fit for human consumption. That’s why it’s safest to stick to bottled water. Beyond some third world countries, where the drinking water is abysmal, there are also other countries where the water is safe, but may have a different taste. Drinking water with a different composition of minerals and additives may cause some digestion problems, so bottled water is a good option for almost any travel destination.
2. Avoid Using Ice
The next piece of advice to stay healthy on your trip is to avoid using ice in your drinks. Many people forget about the water conditions when they’re ordering some other type of beverage and get sick from the contaminants in the ice. Additionally, try not to swallow water when you’re taking a shower or brushing your teeth. A mouthful of bad water can lead to serious gastrointestinal problems.
3. For Good Travel Health Stay Away From Street Food
While street food may look and smell appetizing, and the price is often reasonable, it’s best to choose other eating establishments if you want to not get sick. Some street vendors in different parts of the world may not have the capabilities to keep food from spoiling or getting contaminated from bacteria. Permit requirements may also vary around the world, and be not as safe as the western world.
4. Skip Some Fruits and Vegetables
Vacationing on an exotic island may offer a bounty of delicious fruits and vegetables. Grabbing a piece of local fruit may seem like a great idea, but many unknowing tourists end up getting sick that way. Fruits and vegetables that aren’t properly washed can pass on various viruses or other bacteria. It’s best to go with fruits and vegetables that have been cooked instead.
5. Frequent Busy Establishments
Going out to dinner doesn’t have to be stressful if you’re visiting another country. Your chances of getting food poisoning can be lowered significantly if you do your research ahead of time for your dining establishment. Instead of trying to find the newest hidden gem, stick with the well known and popular restaurants that have a full dining room. Places that have a strong tourist following and a solid reputation are less likely to pass along contaminated products.
6. Choose Well Cooked Foods
Next, it’s important to be purposeful in your ordering off of the menu. Stay away from exotic foods that aren’t cooked all the way or are raw. Go with meats and fish that are cooked well or fried. When exposed to the high cooking temperatures, any possible harmful bacteria are killed off, making it much safer for consumption. Don’t forget to make sure your meal is fresh and hot. Sitting around at room temperature, even after being properly cooked, allows for possible problems that could make you sick.
7. Pack Dietary Essentials
Another way that some travelers have avoided illness is by packing a few items in their suitcases to help them get by. While it’s not realistic to take all of your meals from a few canned food items in your bags, you can pack a few essentials that you may not otherwise find in your local destination. Condiments are sometimes either hard to find or may not be properly stored, so feel free to bring your own supply of Just Mayo from hampton creek.
8. Know Your Limits
Lastly, it’s important to know your limits when it comes to indulgences and new foods in another country. Even if you avoid getting food poisoning, some stomachs can react poorly to different flavors and tastes with illnesses such as traveler’s diarrhea. If for some reason you do get sick, do your best to stay hydrated. Ask your hotel or guide for help in finding an English speaking doctor if you’re having a significant amount of trouble.
If you want to spend your vacation seeing the sites and learning about a new culture, there are some important food safety guidelines to practice to prevent you from sitting out on the sidelines. You can enjoy your time abroad and avoid getting sick if you plan ahead with your eating and drinking choices.