Eating healthy food when you’re traveling can be a little tough. First, you’re likely eating on the go at the airport or on the airplane. Then, there’s the harsh reality that you won’t likely have a fridge or kitchen, so you’ll be eating out each meal. And finally, you might be a location where you are unfamiliar with the cuisine or establishments. If you want to stay healthy, take a look at these travel tips from my experiences abroad and on the road.
Get Health Tips from Trusted Sources
You can start planning for a healthy trip by checking out some valuable health travel resources. There are a few different options that will help you to stay healthy on your travels. This is especially important when it comes to countries considered “third world” that have poor infrastructure. Everyday things that we take for granted such as brushing our teeth with tap water or eating fresh produce may place you at risk for illness in these countries. Here are some of the sites to take a look at before traveling to another country:
- CDC Travelers’ Health – information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Travel Health Pro – this UK government resource has the latest health information for travelers from around the world
- Healthy Travel Magazine – tips for health and wellness travel
Avoid Breeding Grounds for Bacteria
Food in other countries could potentially make you ill. This is especially true in locations where food hygiene standards may be lower or less regulated. It’s best to avoid any food that is more likely to make you ill. This includes raw food which may have been rinsed in local water and/or prepared with less stringent food safety standards than in the U.S. Additionally, buffets, while always something you should avoid (even in the U.S.), you should especially steer clear of in third world countries. Street food is also something to avoid in less developed regions of the world, but probably safe in most well-traveled regions such as Europe. Even though some people say it’s the best way to eat in some countries, it’s not always the healthiest option if you’re not used to it. Be sure to check the CDC website as to whether Typhoid vaccine is recommended for the countries in which you will be traveling. Typhoid fever is caused by infection with a certain strain Salmonella which is prevalent in many developing countries and can be acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water.
Look for Fresh Food
Finding fresh food will help you to eat a healthy diet while you’re traveling. If you’re busy trying to see and do everything, it can be tempting to grab something very quick. But you could end up eating junk food or food that’s not so fresh if you don’t choose your food carefully. Take some time to seek out fresh food, whether you go to a restaurant or even a local market. But again, consider the region of the world you’re visiting and whether it’s advised to eat fresh items. A great article about choosing smart options while traveling is: https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/06/19/food-safety-avoid-getting-sick-traveling/.
Ask/Follow the Locals
How do you find the good places to eat in any location? Ask the locals! Local people always have the best advice about where to eat. By following what the locals do, you can seek out the best places and not just the tourist traps. You can ask people in person or look at reviews and ratings online.
Check the Tap Water
Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in many countries. However, in some places, it’s best to avoid it and stick to bottled water, as I mentioned before. But that means you need to rethink ice in your drinks, foods washed in tap water and prepared raw (veggies, etc.,) and even iced teas or coffees. A general rule for eating fruit when traveling in developing nations is to only eat fruit that you have to peel.
Remember these tips for healthy eating when you’re traveling if you want to have a great time, and eat lots of amazing food.
