Sampling local foods is a fun part of any European vacation. The fun can be quickly washed away though when that new dish you ate for dinner breeds an unhealthy dose of food poisoning.
What should you do the next time you are dying to try the local specialty but want to avoid making a sprint to the nearest bathroom? Here are 11 things you can do to avoid old world food poisoning.
1. Prepare your own meals.
As nice as it is to eat at the local village cafe every day, buying and preparing your own food can at least help you assure that it is safe to eat. It is a nice option, especially while staying in a vacation rental, because you have more control over what you eat.
2. Buy only well cooked food.
Ordering a rare steak might be okay at your home restaurant. It is not advisable to do when you are traveling abroad because of bacteria that might be present.
3. Do your homework.
It is a good idea before traveling to do a little research and find out what health and food laws are in place for a particular country to help you determine what is safe to eat there.
4. Avoid high risk foods.
Certain foods, such as salads, have a higher risk for food poisoning if the ingredients are not stored, handled or prepared properly. Common sense says skip those foods.
5. Ask local residents.
If you want to know how safe a certain local dish is, sometimes the best way is to ask someone who lives in that country.
6. Inspect the restaurant.
A good way to judge if you might get sick eating at a place is to see the conditions for yourself. If it is dirty or unsanitary, go elsewhere.
7. Avoid tap water.
Water quality can vary wildly from country to country and city to city. If possible, drink only bottled water. Avoid drinking tap water and having ice cubes in drinks.
8. Avoid street food.
Street vendors offer a chance to try local foods. However, such foods are not always prepared in sanitary conditions and can be exposed to heat and insects.
9. Read online restaurant reviews.
Sometimes fellow travelers can provide the best information on where you should eat. If a restaurant has several poor reviews, pick another place to eat.
10. Get your appropriate shots before traveling.
It never hurts to get a checkup with your physician before leaving the country and get inoculated for a variety of illnesses. It can help your body fight off parasites and bacteria.
11. Be careful of fruit and vegetables.
Native fruits and vegetables can be dangerous to eat in many countries simply because fertilization methods can leave them swimming with dangerous bacteria.
The number one rule to remember when traveling in Europe is to use common sense. You can avoid food poisoning by simply paying attention to what you eat and where you eat. If you take extra precautions to avoid getting sick, your chances of getting sick will be much less.
Image by: Wesley Oostvogels
I'm a new stay at home mom just trying to find her way in the world of blogging.
