No one likes to get sick when traveling, yet millions of people each year suffer from food-borne illnesses. The World Health Organization recommends the following precautions to keep your digestive system on track:
- Wash your hands often and always before you eat.
- In lesser-developed countries avoid uncooked food and raw vegetables that can’t be peeled or shelled.
- Beware of raw meat and of dishes containing raw or undercooked eggs, such as mayonnaise, in buffets and from street vendors, especially if the food is left unrefrigerated.
- Make sure food is thoroughly cooked and steaming. Avoid raw seafood and poultry that is still red or where juices are pink.
- If the safety of local drinking water is in doubt, drink bottled water, where available, and be sure the bottle is sealed. Otherwise, boil water before drinking.
- Drink lots of fluids.
Any excessive change in diet, stress, and fatigue can wreak havoc on your digestive system, especially if you are prone to intestinal upsets. So, eat, drink, and be merry in moderation.
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Contributor
Linda Kundell
Linda Kundell has traveled in 25 countries on 5 continents. She owns Kundell Communications, a firm specializing in travel related public relations, whose clients include the US Tour Operators Association and the US Travel Insurance Association. Linda has authored numerous articles for consumer and industry magazines, and she currently publishes The Travel P.R. Report, an e-newsletter for travel marketing executives.