Travellers Tips 1

Image via WikipediaWhether you are at home or on the road, it is important to take care of your health. Since traveling can bring you into contact with many things that your body isn’t used to, it is easier to get sick, especially when your body has not had time to adjust to time changes or the food and water in a new environment.

In fact, more than 10 million overseas travelers fall ill with diarrhea and other sicknesses each year that are caused by bacteria, viruses and parasitic bugs found in drinking water and food, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.

Safe Eats

So what kinds of foods are safe to eat when traveling? First, avoid foods that require a lot of handling before serving. Many germs are passed through improper food handling practices or poor hygiene. In most cases, foods that are boiled should be safe to consume. Avoid dishes that contain raw meat or seafood. Undercooked meats and poultry should be avoided as well.

Perishable foods generally need to be cooked to, and held at, the proper internal temperature before serving. If the dish you ordered is supposed to be served hot, make sure it is hot when it is served to you. The same is true for any foods that are intended to be served cold. Otherwise, it may not be safe to eat.

If you are taking food on the road with you, try to pack nonperishable foods that don’t require refrigeration to remain safe. If you are traveling with cold foods, pack them in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer packs. Raw meats should be packed in a separate cooler or placed in leak-proof containers on the bottom of the cooler so they cannot contaminate other foods.

If you buy fresh fruits or vegetables from a local market while traveling, make sure to thoroughly wash and peel them as necessary before eating, just as you would at home.

Safe Drinks

Dehydration can be a problem when traveling. Many times we wait to drink until we feel thirsty, which usually means we may already be slightly dehydrated. But when traveling, how do you know if the local water supply is safe to drink?

Water supplies in rural areas and developing countries may not be adequately disinfected and could contain potentially harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. If you need to use tap water from an unknown source, be sure to boil it for several minutes first at a good rolling boil. Avoid consuming beverages that may be mixed with the local tap water supply, such as juices or sodas from sources such as fountain machines. Also avoid consuming beverages containing ice, since freezing does not kill most microorganisms.

While bottled water is an option many travelers reach for, not all bottled water products sold abroad may meet American standards. NSF International, a nonprofit organization that certifies bottled waters sold around the world, reports that bottled water products in other countries can be impure or even counterfeit (i.e., refilled from a local tap source), so always check the seal to ensure it is intact.. Travelers outside the U.S. should look for bottles carrying an NSF Mark. A list of NSF certified brands is also posted on the NSF Web site (nsf.org/certified/bwpi). Children and the elderly can have especially sensitive stomachs and should be extra cautious about consuming any drinks from containers that are not factory-sealed beverages.

While watching what you eat and drink can help avoid illness, the best action you can take to maintain your health all year long is to wash your hands frequently. If fresh water is scarce, use antibacterial hand gels or wipes to help keep your hands clean, especially after using a restroom and before eating.