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Preventing Food Poisoning While Traveling

Preventing Food Poisoning While Traveling

Preventing Food Poisoning While Traveling

One of the great things about traveling to other parts of the world is the ability to try new things. Indulging in new cuisine is often one of the ways you can take in the culture and learn new things about the world around us. However, eating food while traveling can be risky. The chance of getting sick from contaminated food can be heightened when traveling to parts of the world that have fewer regulations on food and how it’s handled.

Knowing the facts about food poisoning and ways to handle it as you’re traveling is the best way to ensure you don’t ruin your trip. If you happen to get sick at no fault of your own or believe that it was the result of negligence on the behalf of the restaurant staff, it is best to speak with a lawyer for food poisoning right away.

Common Food Poisoning Facts

  • The most common foodborne illnesses are Salmonella, norovirus, Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacter.
  • Food poisoning can be especially dangerous for young children, women who are expecting, and the elderly as they have weaker immune systems. If you fall into any of these categories, you should see a doctor before traveling for advice.
  • According to the CDC, 1 in every 6 Americans suffers from food poisoning each year.

Tips for Preventing Foodborne Illness

  1. Drink safe water – may countries do not have a clean water supply. If you’re traveling to an area where the water is unfiltered or unsafe, you should have purification tablets on hand. Check to see that all water bottles are tightly sealed before drinking out of them. Also, be mindful of ice in your drinks. This will also mean being careful when brushing your teeth. The tap water if unfiltered can cause illness. Keep a bottle of clean water with you.
  2. Watch what you eat – You can indulge in fine dining but be mindful of what you’re consuming. Food that is improperly prepared can lead to bad bacteria developing which causes food poisoning. Try to avoid raw foods unless there is a peel or shell protecting it.
  3. Watch where you eat – Some areas are well known for their street vendors. However, not all street vendors serving food have been inspected and therefore may sell food that is lower in quality. Check the internet to get reviews on a particular vendor before making a purchase to ensure the food is safe. Also, for restaurants, take a look around the dining area to see if it is clean and safe.
  4. Wash your hands thoroughly – Bacteria can spread from hands to food, and therefore you want to make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If there is no access to clean water, you should be sure to have hand sanitizer along with you so that it can kill the germs present on your hands.
  5. Eat smaller portions – Your body has a better chance of fighting off foodborne illness if there are fewer bacteria consumed. Therefore, try to eat in smaller portions versus consuming a larger meal.
  6. Keep emergency food on hand – If you’re really unsure about the location you’re traveling to, it’s a good idea to bring along some of your own food. This will prevent you from being exposed to contaminated foods when dining options are limited or obsolete. Try taking things that are prepackaged like cereal cookies, and fruit as they keep a lot longer than perishables.

Whether you’re traveling alone or with family, it should be about experiencing new things and having fun. No one wants to get halfway through a trip only to learn that they’re sick because of something they ate. When traveling to a destination you’ve never been to before, it is always best to be safe than it is to be sorry. Follow all of the above safety tips to minimize the potential of you and your loved ones getting sick.


Becky Wilcox is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about beauty, fashion, technology and more.  She writes for Life with Lisa as well as several other blogs and websites.  Check back soon for more from Becky.

Comments

  1. Mary Ambrosino says

    Attention all travelers…be sure and read this as it is invaluable advice.

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