5 Foods To Stay Away From When Traveling
How about a disclaimer first. Even though the story I’m about to tell you is based on true events, you did not hear it from me because I made a promise never to tell another soul. Last year around this time of the year, we started on a very long drive from South Africa to Zimbabwe. We took turns with my wife, driving safely and taking very short stops when it was critically necessary. The whole family was very excited. My three sons and their aunt were safely packed in the back seat, and everyone had some sort of a gadget in their hands for entertainment. My wife had prepared all kinds of snacks for the journey. There were energy drinks, fizzy drinks, chips, sweets, roasted chicken, croissants, fruits, you name it. Before we even went far, you could hear foil paper being unwrapped and excited people loudly biting, sucking, and chewing from the back seat. My wife had warned the kids not to overeat or mix different foods. But let’s just say there was one person in particular who wasn’t listening.
Just after crossing the international border from South Africa into Zimbabwe, my eldest son started complaining of an upset tummy. We gave him some water to drink and told him to stop eating for a bit. Sadly, the tummy toil did not stop, and he pressed for us to stop for a quick recess. We really wanted to stop, but the roads we were very dangerous for any car to stop. I guess I do not have to finish this story because I’m sure we all know how it ended. If you missed it, the story ends with a poor embarrassed grown-up teenage boy having to sit in his human waste with everyone else screaming and laughing at him.
Falling ill whilst traveling is one of the worst things that could happen to you. For many of us, eating is one of the best parts of traveling. All you want to do is enjoy your journey with some comfort, food, and good music without having to worry about getting a travel bug. But as they say, all great journeys require great preparation – and preparing yourself not to get stomach flu as you travel is also important. So next time you travel be it by road, air, or sea, just make sure to take note of the following foods and drinks so that you avoid catching a travel bug and spoiling your trip.
- Tap water
Whilst traveling, your source of drinking water is one of the things you have to pay particular attention to. The pathogens that cause travelers’ diarrhea, rotavirus, cholera, and a host of other diseases tend to infect humans through contaminated water and food. You could try and research your destination in advance to find out if water safety is an issue. When in doubt, stick to clean, sealed bottled water. Ice carries the same risk as tap water. Avoid using it with your beverages if you’re not sure of the source of water. Also, avoid brushing your teeth with unsafe tap water.
- Raw produce
In places where the water isn’t safe to drink, people often talk of the BPCF rule. Boil it; Peel it; Cook it; – or Forget it. Avoid salads and other raw fruits and vegetables, except those that can be peeled like bananas or oranges, (and that aren’t then exposed to tap water), since the peel protects against contamination. Whilst citrus fruits could be safer because they can be peeled, they should be limited during your travels. They have a high acidity which can affect your bladder. The last thing you would want is to constantly have to look for a bathroom whilst on a road trip. Also, avoid eating uncooked meat, seafood, and poultry, all of which are grounds for foodborne pathogens.
- Fizzy drinks and Soda (from a fountain)
It is best to stay away from any fountain-based liquids if you’re not sure about the quality of the water in your chosen destination. Opt for a canned or bottled soda. Fizzy drinks come with a risk of bloating, gas, indigestion, nausea, and general abdominal pain. This is something you definitely don’t want whilst traveling.
- Tomato-based products
Some researchers have discovered that tomato-based products can irritate the bladder because of their acidity. For someone with an overactive bladder, it is best to skip foods like pizza, pasta sauce, salsa, and ketchup. Best avoid those frantic searches for a restroom as you travel.
- Dairy products
Some milk products such as milkshakes, ice cream, yogurt, and others can easily cause an upset stomach. These can be better enjoyed when you’ve reached your destination and settled in. Unpasteurized dairy like cheese or milk is one of the foods you may want to skip when traveling. These may be very harmful especially to kids, pregnant women, or someone with a weakened immune system. Unpasteurized cheese has been known to be associated with pathogenic microorganisms like Listeria monocytogenes.
Make it a thumbnail rule to always check your diet before, during, and after traveling. This will buy you extra time to enjoy your trip and avoids nursing a tummy tornado from the hotel room.
