Travel Medicine - Diet While Traveling
When you travel, how do you decide what is safe to eat or drink? What types of food or beverages do you avoid?
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What is safe to eat and drink while traveling?
- In general, it is best not to drink tap water in a developing country.
- Ice is not safe in areas where the water supply may be contaminated. Freezing water does not destroy most infections.
- Boiled water and drinks made from boiled water (tea) are usually safe.
- Alcohol (beer, wine) is usually safe.
- Carbonated bottled water or sodas are usually safe. Uncarbonated bottled water may be safe, but even bottled water may be filled up from the local tap water source.
- Iodine tablets or commercially available water filters may be used to purify water when camping.
- In general, foods that you peel yourself (bananas) are safe.
- Hot, well-cooked foods are usually safe.
- Spices do not kill bacteria. Food can be so spicy that it burns your mouth and still cause traveler's diarrhea or more serious diseases.
- Foods that put the traveler at high risk for infection include undercooked meat and seafood.
- Foods washed in contaminated water may have a residue of bacteria.
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