Doctors reveal how to avoid travellers' diarrhoea on holiday while still eating like a local
For many Britons going on holiday, part of the fun is indulging in food, whether that be local street food or an all-inclusive buffet.
But travelling to new countries also brings the risk of traveller's diarrhoea. It could be caused from poor hygiene in developing countries, water your body isn't used to, or bugs picked up from fellow holidaymakers.
Dr Méabh and Dr Danny, who share their adventures to 41 countries and counting on their Instagram page @celtsontheroad, say there are four crucial habits that will save travellers from a dreaded emergency trip to the loo.
The couple, hailing from Ireland and Scotland, said often travellers will follow rules that are "old wives tales", such as avoiding local food, or only eating in the hotel.
But they said: "We’re both doctors and we’ve travelled to over 41 countries combined, we eat local food everywhere we go, and we rarely get sick."
Their top tips are:
- Look for somewhere busy - this will mean the food is more likely to be fresh.
- Wash your hands before every meal.
- Carry some antibacterial gel just in case you can’t wash your hands at a sink.
- Don’t touch your phone or cash until after you’ve finished eating.
The couple added: "Enjoying different foods is one of the absolute best things about travelling. Don’t be frightened by some old wives tales. Wash your hands, eat local and savour the experiences!"
The viral video, which has amassed more than 24 million views, attracted comments from other travellers giving their own tips.
One said: "I was raised with lots of traveling and was always taught: eat at busy places and don’t eat the most expensive items off the menu. These aren’t chosen often, but have expensive products in them. The restaurant will save these ingredients as long as possible, so they’re more likely to go bad."
Another wrote: "I always suffer the first few days in a new country. No matter what I eat. Then someone told me to eat yoghurt from the region you're visiting since that stem of bacteria is not the same I'm used to and it should help me to acclimate to the local food. I don't know how or why, but that tip saved me on my last trip."
When picking a street food vendor, try to take a look at the food preparation area, Dr Kyle Staller, director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told website Outside.
Things to look out for are whether the kitchen looks clean, if raw meat and raw vegetables are being prepared separately, and if food handlers are wearing gloves.
Outside, a busy spot with a long line is a good sign
He said: “When there’s a high degree of turnover with diners, ingredients are being used versus sitting in a refrigerator that might have an unreliable power supply.” Or, simply sat out exposed to heat and bugs.
Food that must be served hot, or is cooked to order, is the best thing to eat to avoid travellers' diarrhoea, Dr Richard Dawood, a specialist in travel medicine at the Fleet Street Clinic told the Telegraph.
He urged holidaymakers to think twice about raw vegetables and salads when in countries with poor hygiene because they can be difficult to prepare safely.
He said: “Heat is a powerful and reliable way of inactivating or killing the pathogens that cause travellers’ diarrhoea, so any food that has been freshly and thoroughly cooked should be safe. From a safety perspective, undercooked or raw food is inevitably less reliable.
"Avoid anything pre-made, that could have been left sitting around at warm temperature, or handled by many people. Buffet foods are notorious.”
Even with the best precautions, illnesses can occur. Comprehensive travel insurance can cover unexpected medical expenses abroad, ensuring peace of mind.
While most travellers' diarrhoea is mild, it can be severe and lead to severe dehydration.
It's a good idea to check your travel insurance policy includes coverage for medical treatment and potential hospital stays.
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