Traveling Southeast Asia will reward you with all kinds of new experiences. Unfortunately, spending the day in bed for 24 hours with multiple toilet stops could be one of them.
If you want to minimize your chances of contracting food poisoning, follow these essential tips.
Do Not Drink The Tap Water
This is the most obvious place to start. Local water sources contain bacteria that your stomach just isn’t used to. If you have a sensitive tummy, wash your toothbrush with bottled water.
Check The Ice
Ice in restaurants is often made with tap water rather than safer mineral water. To check whether the ice cubes are OK to consume, check them for holes. Cubes which cave inwards come from an ice machine whereas cubes that don’t have usually been made with tap water and put in the freezer.
Ask Locals For Advice
If a food joint is bustling with locals, it’s probably good, bacteria-free food. If a place is empty, on the other hand, there may be a reason for it. Ask locals where they eat and try these places first before rocking up to an eerily empty meat stall.
Keep Activated Charcoal Nearby
Activated charcoal is a lifesaver. Keep it on you so that if you feel you might be getting sick, you can remove them before its game over.
Avoid Raw Vegetables
When vegetables are boiled, the heat kills the bacteria. Raw veggies are often washed with tap water and are crawling with bacteria.
Most of all though, don’t let food poisoning stop you for heading to this wonderful part of the world. Even if you do get sick, it is worth it just to experience what Southeast Asia has to offer.
