How to Avoid Montezuma’s Revenge and Other Food-Related Maladies on Vacation
A decade ago or so my parents were traveling in a remote part of India and they decided to order two Coca-Colas at a restaurant. The first two came already poured into a glass with ice. That was a no-no, as the ice may have contained tainted water. They sent them back and the next two came poured into empty glasses, but with straws. They’d heard of straws being reused there, so they sent those two back. They waited until they were given unopened cans and new glasses to indulge.
That may be an extreme example, but it’s illustrative of the type of care you should take based on particular travel destinations. For example, even though we suspect that the water is OK at El Salto and Picachos, we still brush our teeth with the provided bottled water. Even in the best of circumstances, travel can mess with your gut. In the worst of circumstances, it can make you uncomfortable, bed-ridden, or even require a trip to the hospital.
Hanna brings all sorts of pills (from what I can tell, you need one to stop you up, and one to loosen you up) when we go on long-distance trips. Fortunately, neither of us has gotten severely sick from food – except one time at a B&B on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay when my then 2 year old niece gave the whole family a stomach bug and we all ralphed prolifically. Such struggles aren’t always avoidable, but with a few simple steps you can minimize their likelihood and their severity. Here are some links that may be helpful on this topic:
7 Tips For Traveling Abroad When You Have Dietary Restrictions
If you know that certain ingredients and foods are unsafe for you, how do you communicate that when you don’t speak the local language? It can be a matter not only of politeness, but also of life and death. Furthermore, what should you do if you cannot avoid those foods, or end up eating them accidentally?
What to Do If You Get Food Poisoning In a Foreign Country
What if you take all precautions (or none at all, for that matter) and still end up getting sick as a result of something that you eat? You don’t want to ruin your vacation or that of your traveling partners, nor do you want to compromise your health. Here’s how to deal with it, particularly in intermediate- and high-risk areas
'Vacation Constipation' Is Real—Here's How to Keep It From Ruining Your Next Trip
Being stopped up may be just as painful as the opposite condition. It seems to affect a lot of people when they leave home base. Here are some ways to make it less likely so you can remain your happy, agile, comfortable self.
Best 23 cities for street food from Miami to Tokyo
Even if you’re hyper-vigilant about safety, part of the fun of traveling is experiencing new ingredients and cuisines that you might not be able to try at home. In some cultures and locations, that might be best achieved through “street food,” which can be the most authentic representation of local foods.
How to Eat Street Food Anywhere in the World Without Getting Sick
If you’re committed to going the “street meat” route, you shouldn’t let down your guard. Here are some basic rules that will minimize – but not eliminate – your chances of getting sick when you eat those skewers of mystery protein or plates of crickets.
Singapore street food vendor gets a Michelin star
Finally, just to prove that street food vendors aren’t always “downscale,” check out this Singaporean food stall proprietor who was awarded a coveted Michelin star for his Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle. At the time, a portion of the dish cost $2.50. Lesson learned: Price is not always a direct reflection of quality.
