On the road
Eating while travelling without taking chances: rules that work almost everywhere
Neither shutting yourself in the hotel nor eating anything at all. The practical rules of people who travel a lot and what to do if it catches you anyway.
Nerea Aguilar 5 min Photo by Mathijs Beks on Unsplash The number-one cause of a lost day on a trip is nothing exotic: it is your stomach. And almost all of it is avoided with simple rules that do not force you to give up eating well.
The rules that do work
- Eat where there is a queue of local people: high turnover means freshly made food.
- Prefer what is cooked in front of you to what has been sitting out for a while.
- Where the water is not drinkable, also be careful with ice, washed salads and already-peeled fruit.
- Fruit you can peel yourself is among the safest things there are.
- And for the first two days, go carefully: the change of diet is novelty enough on its own.
The first rule is the one that surprises most: busy street stalls are usually safer than an empty restaurant with a buffet.
The water
In places where the tap water is not drinkable, bottled and sealed, and be careful when brushing your teeth. A refillable bottle with a filter solves the problem on long trips and saves buying plastic every day.
Allergies and intolerances
Carry the explanation written in the local language, not translated on the spot. A card with the clear sentence and the specific ingredients works far better than a translator in the middle of a noisy kitchen.
If it happens anyway
- Rehydration before anything else.
- Bland food in small amounts for a day.
- Careful with anti-diarrhoeals if there is a fever: in that case, better to ask.
- And if it lasts more than two days or there is a high fever, call the insurer before setting off on your own.
The right order for that is in what to do if you fall ill while travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Is street food safe?
With a queue of local people, yes: the high turnover means freshly made food. Safer than an empty restaurant with a buffet.
What do I need to watch with the water?
Where the tap water is not drinkable, bottled and sealed, and also careful with ice, salads and brushing your teeth.
How do I explain an allergy?
With a card written in the local language, with the specific ingredients. It works better than translating on the spot.
What do I do if the food disagrees with me?
Rehydration, bland food and caution with anti-diarrhoeals if there is a fever. If it lasts more than two days, call your insurer.
