Whenever you're travelling the last thing you want is to be knocked on your behind for a few days because you got the Rangoon Runs. But it can be a tricky thing to avoid, especially when you're travelling to a country who has different culinary practices to that of your home country.
Some may call it Delhi Belly, Montezuma's Revenge or Traveller's Diarrhea but no matter the name traveller's gut is no joke. It can knock even the most experienced traveller on their booty for a few days, sometimes landing them in hospital due to dehydration. It is a fate that every traveller wishes to avoid. Most cases of traveller's gut come down to the water, but here are some tips to help you avoid missing out on your holiday fun.
Avoid Tap Water
As a general rule of thumb, when travelling to a new country, it is safest to stick to bottled water. Our bodies develop different immunities depending on our environment. What makes someone sick in India is different from what makes someone sick in the US.
Even in first world countries, tap water isn't safe (here's to look at you Flint, MI and the lack of any help you've received). Depending on the country you're visiting, you may want to ensure you're brushing your teeth or washing your utensils with sealed, bottled water.
Avoid Ice
While you're at it, avoid ice as well. When eating out, stick to bottled drinks even if they're not icy cold. Freezing is not an effective way to kill bugs as the temperature does not get cold enough to do so. Don't risk it.
Eat Cooked Food
When in Bali I learned the peel it, cook it, or toss it method. If it can be peeled, peel and eat. Fruits like bananas, pineapple, and mangos are typically safe as long as the inside fruit has not been washed in water.
If fruit or veg has been washed, make sure it is cooked. Cooking your food at high temperatures will help ensure you kill off any of those nasty bugs. If you're unable to peel it or cook it, your safest bet is to toss it. Not worth spending a few days in the bathroom because you risked eating that food.
Prep Your Stomach Before Trying Street Meat
Before diving straight into all the street food, test out a few local restaurants. If you're eating in a more touristy area, there's a less likely chance you'll start to feel unwell. This, of course, is not a full proof method. However, if you're wanting to try some of the local cuisines and street food, its best you test to see if your stomach can handle restaurant grade food first.
When in Doubt, Skip the Meat
Meat is the most likely food to upset your stomach when you're travelling. Certain meats (I'm looking at you pork), no matter the temperature cooked at, have the potential to pass along some nasty bugs. If your stomach is a little weaker, you're afraid to jump right in, or the meat just looks a little questionable, give it a miss.
Bring a Good Probiotic or Have Fermented Yogurt or Kefir
It's always good to be prepared. Ensuring you have a good probiotic or that you're eating probiotic enriched foods will help keep your tummy safe during your travels. Having a bunch of good buggies in your belly will be highly beneficial to help fight off any bad buggies that make their way into your belly.
Getting sick while on holiday is awful but it doesn't have to happen to you. Follow the above and your belly will be in bliss your entire trip. What are your tips for avoiding travellers gut?
Some may call it Delhi Belly, Montezuma's Revenge or Traveller's Diarrhea but no matter the name traveller's gut is no joke. It can knock even the most experienced traveller on their booty for a few days, sometimes landing them in hospital due to dehydration. It is a fate that every traveller wishes to avoid. Most cases of traveller's gut come down to the water, but here are some tips to help you avoid missing out on your holiday fun.
Avoid Tap Water
As a general rule of thumb, when travelling to a new country, it is safest to stick to bottled water. Our bodies develop different immunities depending on our environment. What makes someone sick in India is different from what makes someone sick in the US.
Even in first world countries, tap water isn't safe (here's to look at you Flint, MI and the lack of any help you've received). Depending on the country you're visiting, you may want to ensure you're brushing your teeth or washing your utensils with sealed, bottled water.
While you're at it, avoid ice as well. When eating out, stick to bottled drinks even if they're not icy cold. Freezing is not an effective way to kill bugs as the temperature does not get cold enough to do so. Don't risk it.
Eat Cooked Food
When in Bali I learned the peel it, cook it, or toss it method. If it can be peeled, peel and eat. Fruits like bananas, pineapple, and mangos are typically safe as long as the inside fruit has not been washed in water.
If fruit or veg has been washed, make sure it is cooked. Cooking your food at high temperatures will help ensure you kill off any of those nasty bugs. If you're unable to peel it or cook it, your safest bet is to toss it. Not worth spending a few days in the bathroom because you risked eating that food.
Prep Your Stomach Before Trying Street Meat
Before diving straight into all the street food, test out a few local restaurants. If you're eating in a more touristy area, there's a less likely chance you'll start to feel unwell. This, of course, is not a full proof method. However, if you're wanting to try some of the local cuisines and street food, its best you test to see if your stomach can handle restaurant grade food first.
When in Doubt, Skip the Meat
Meat is the most likely food to upset your stomach when you're travelling. Certain meats (I'm looking at you pork), no matter the temperature cooked at, have the potential to pass along some nasty bugs. If your stomach is a little weaker, you're afraid to jump right in, or the meat just looks a little questionable, give it a miss.
Bring a Good Probiotic or Have Fermented Yogurt or Kefir
It's always good to be prepared. Ensuring you have a good probiotic or that you're eating probiotic enriched foods will help keep your tummy safe during your travels. Having a bunch of good buggies in your belly will be highly beneficial to help fight off any bad buggies that make their way into your belly.
Getting sick while on holiday is awful but it doesn't have to happen to you. Follow the above and your belly will be in bliss your entire trip. What are your tips for avoiding travellers gut?
And until next time...
these are really good tips for avoiding traveler's gut! Getting sick while traveling is the worst! I never thought much about avoiding ice, but it makes so much sense since bottled water is my go to away from home.
ReplyDeleteIt's one most people forget or assume won't make you sick. You'd think because its frozen it would kill the bad bugs but unfortunately it doesn't get cold enough to do that.
DeleteBrilliant tips, my husband had a particularly bad dose in Thailand which made him really ill. I will keep the peel and cooked idea in my head now.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with this sometimes, so these are all super helpful tips! Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteGood to know these tips. It is more beyond the water to keep your stomach happy
ReplyDeleteAll really good tips, I got sick on a vacation one time due to food and it sucked
ReplyDeleteIt only takes that one time though and then you change your ways when travelling. You can never be too careful.
DeleteBeing sick on any trip is never fun. If you can avoid it, best to take those measures!
ReplyDeletewhile traveling,I generally avoid meat and random street places in new locations. IT is better to manage health to enjoy the trip :)
ReplyDeleteThese are some awesome tips. Traveler's gut can be really invasive to your vacation!
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I haven't experienced this before. But I know someone who got deathly ill in another country because of the food. This is so important to know.
ReplyDeleteYou are very lucky! It's only happened to me once and that one time was enough!
DeleteI totally agree with sticking with bottled water. It is better safe than sorry!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Just remember to brush your teeth with it too. I have a friend that when she travels she washes her face with it too. That seems a little extreme to me but if you're immunocompromised you do what you can to stay healthy.
DeleteI can imagine how difficult it is being ill on a holiday. This definitely has a lot of good points. I've learned so many new things.
ReplyDeleteAll great ideas, especially avoiding the ice. A lot of people forget this and I've seen family members getting sick while traveling because they had ice in their beverages.
ReplyDeleteI've definitely made the mistake in the past! Never again
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