Buzz
Some travelers are not just interested in exploring or checking in, but always have a hungry stomach and a high foodie soul, just needing to be satisfied with all the delicious dishes wherever they go. However, no matter how much passion you have for food, you must ensure the safety of your stomach, as unfamiliar foods in new lands can be really scary if you have to deal with food poisoning on your trip. So, first of all, let's pocket a few ways to prevent poisoning while traveling below from Vntrip!
1. Avoid eating allergenic foods
For those who are prone to allergies or have medical conditions that require avoiding certain special dishes, it's best to carry antiallergy medication before deciding to eat anything strange. Because you may experience an allergic reaction to strange foods, leading to symptoms such as rash, swelling, itching, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, nausea, dizziness...
Absolutely avoid eating foods you are allergic to when traveling
Having a food allergy while traveling can be quite dangerous, so it's best to avoid it at all costs. If you know you're allergic to a specific food, before trying a new dish, make sure to ask if it contains any allergens for you, or ask the seller to remove those ingredients from your food.
2. Limit trying unfamiliar foods
When visiting a new land, you probably always want to explore and enjoy the local specialties. However, some dishes with ingredients that you have never tried before may cause your body to react negatively.
Unusual foods will make your body resist
Some foods like field frogs, pufferfish, venomous snakes, some strange mushrooms..., may be considered local delicacies, but you may not know the hidden risks of these foods. If you really crave them, ask local people for truly reputable eateries to ensure you won't get food poisoning. But no matter what, don't eat too many strange foods, as your body may struggle to cope with them.
3. Choose hygienic street foods
If you're on the 'foodie' team, then no matter where you travel, you must enjoy the local street foods, right? The array of stalls, food carts with countless tempting dishes from hot to cold is truly irresistible. So, if you can't resist trying street food, then it's definitely a must, but know how to choose clean and hygienic street foods.
Street foods, although tempting, may not guarantee hygiene
Some eateries do not ensure the safety of food hygiene, possibly using leftovers from previous days, which can cause stomach pain, indigestion, and food poisoning. Therefore, when visiting a street food stall, pay attention to how they prepare the food, whether they use gloves or not, and if possible, notice if there is any strange smell coming from the ingredients or if they have any unusual color. Moreover, in hot, smoky environments, food is easily contaminated with microorganisms, leading to a high risk of food poisoning. Although a bit inconvenient, to both enjoy delicious food and ensure safety for your body, it's worth it.
4. Eat freshly cooked food
If you know your digestive system is not good, take advantage of enjoying food right after it's cooked, while it's still hot. Because leaving food for too long will cause the nutrients to disappear, and if in hot weather, the food will also produce microorganisms that can easily cause food poisoning.
Eat food right after it's been prepared
A small piece of advice for you when traveling is to mimic the locals' meal times. Typically when traveling, you tend to disrupt your eating schedule, often eating later, but try to eat around the locals' meal times. This is very important because the food at restaurants is cooked best during those times, not cold, which prevents bacteria from entering.
Moreover, even if your friends are indulging in rare beef, blood cockles, or raw fish sushi..., you must say 'No'. Save enjoying those dishes for your homeland, don't risk trying them in unfamiliar places. After all, you must prioritize your body's health first.
5. Drink bottled water
When traveling to a new place, at tourist spots, you should choose branded mineral water, bottled water to use. Although in developed cities, people can drink directly from roadside water taps, but because you are in 'foreign land,' you should also be cautious with this water source as it may contain components that your body is not accustomed to.
Ensure drinking water is clearly sourced
You should also limit the use of unclear water sources, types of soft drinks prepared right at the stall because you don't know if the water is safe. Moreover, ice is also one of the leading causes of food poisoning as it is sometimes made from impure water sources. Additionally, ice can cause strong stomach contractions, leading to a high risk of food poisoning.
6. Check the expiration date of canned food before consuming
For picky eaters, when traveling far, especially abroad, they often have the habit of bringing canned food to avoid not being able to eat unfamiliar dishes. Therefore, before eating canned foods, don't forget to check the expiration date carefully, do not eat expired food even if it still looks good and has no strange odor. After that time, bacteria can grow quickly in the food and pose many risks if you eat it.
Check the expiration date of canned food before consuming
7. Maintain personal hygiene
In addition to external factors, you yourself may also be the cause of food poisoning if you do not pay attention to personal hygiene. Disease-causing agents can easily enter the body when you touch your nose, mouth, eyes, or ears. So, always wash your hands with soap or warm water, or simply carry a bottle of dry antibacterial hand sanitizer without the need for water.
Don't forget to wash your hands before eating
8. Carry anti-poisoning medication
It's best to always prepare digestive medicines such as Toplife, Lababa, Omeprazole..., preventive medicines for diarrhea like Becberin, Cloroxit... When you feel your stomach is not okay, read the instructions on the medicine packaging carefully and follow them.
Prepare a full range of anti-poisoning medicines, digestive enzymes when traveling
With simple yet highly effective measures above, Vntrip hopes you will have truly luxurious culinary experiences anywhere without worrying about food poisoning issues.
See more: Tips for taking beautiful food photos when traveling
