When you’re traveling abroad, you probably have a long list of must-sees and must-dos. Diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps most definitely aren’t on that list, but these digestive problems can be all too common.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 30% to 70% of vacationers get traveler’s diarrhea, depending on where and when they go. The illness can often (but not always) be prevented by paying close attention to what you eat or drink, and by following the “boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it” rule.
“Foodborne infections can strike at any time,” Leah Silberman, a registered dietitian with Medical Offices of Manhattan, told HuffPost. “Traveling exposes you to new food sources, local food handling procedures and different cleanliness standards. This raises your chances of coming into contact with infections or pollutants, against which your body may not have built protection.”
Foods may also be contaminated with unsafe drinking water, or when handwashing isn’t the norm or isn’t done properly, said Mitzi Baum, CEO of the nonprofit Stop Foodborne Illness.
Before traveling, it’s a good idea to check the CDC’s list of destinations, which highlights food or water safety issues, Baum said.
Keep in mind, though, that you can get sick anywhere, including the U.S. About one in six Americans contract foodborne illness each year, which results in 3,000 deaths and 128,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC.
Travel enhances your risk of getting digestive issues, however. Along with not being acclimated to the foods or encountering different food-handling processes, jet lag and changes in climate can weaken your immune system, Silberman explained.
Next time you travel, follow these tips for protecting yourself from traveler’s diarrhea. Dietitians and food safety experts explain which foods are more likely to put you at risk for foodborne illness.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/ericasweeney/the-worst-foods-to-eat-while-traveling-7523866
