Few things ruin a trip faster than an upset stomach. Eating safely abroad requires awareness of hygiene practices and careful selection of food.
Safe Eating Practices
Stick to freshly cooked, piping-hot food and avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruit or meals left out in the sun. Water safety is crucial: avoid ice cubes, untreated juices and tap water in high-risk destinations. Carry hand sanitiser for use before meals.
Quick Tips
- Check reviews for hygiene standards of restaurants.
- Prefer busy establishments where food turnover is high.
- When in doubt, opt for cooked over raw.
TOP TIP: Be cautious about what hotels claim is “filtered” water. In Southeast Asia, I once accepted the hotel’s filtered water. Later that day, I walked past a room where they were actually filtering it, the machine looked like it belonged in a museum. By the middle of the night, my stomach made it very clear that the water hadn’t been as safe as advertised.
