On vacation without food poisoning
We culinary globetrotters don’t let national borders and unfamiliar ingredients hold us back. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t always agree. That’s why we’ve put together this list of valuable lessons to help prevent food poisoning on vacation.
1. Mineral water
Always buy water in bottles and check that the original seal around the cap is still intact. It wouldn’t be the first time a street vendor has refilled bottles with dirty water.
2. Street food
This tip is also the tastiest one: go for street food. It’s just as fresh there, and it’s prepared right in front of you, there’s nowhere to hide.
That Western restaurant may look cleaner, but if you can choose from hamburgers, curry and pasta, you can imagine how long ingredients remain in the kitchen before someone orders them. A hundred dishes on the menu, while perhaps only twenty people eat there per day? Stay away. That brings us straight to the next point.
3. Eat where it’s busy
In busy restaurants, turnover is higher, so the food spends less time in storage. You can’t assume that quiet establishments throw away their leftovers, so the food may have been sitting in storage for a while. Besides, it’s a good idea to avoid quiet restaurants anyway; there’s probably a reason why there are no guests.
4. No ice please
Tell the restaurant that you don’t want any ice cubes. They’re often made with tap water and therefore contain bacteria your body won’t appreciate. Lettuce is also often washed in tap water, although this is much less significant than when you consume a lot of ice cubes.
5. Eat like a local
Choose as many local products as possible. Fish inland is usually not as fresh as it is on the coast, which involves certain risks. Check what the locals eat and discover the local specialties.
6. Trust your instincts
Of course, you’re open to new flavors, but also trust your instincts if something simply seems strange or doesn’t taste right. When in doubt, just leave it. Your body is designed to avoid ‘poison’, so trust your gut.
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