How To Avoid Getting Food Sick While Travelling

This is especially true for inexperienced or new travelers. So what is safe to eat? This is a very common question from travelers and it's hard to say without looking at each situation.

You must eat with caution whilst traveling abroad. Our stomachs are not immune to certain bugs in new countries and this can contribute to illnesses. When traveling abroad make sure you maintain your hygiene basics and monitor how your food is prepared. Here are some basic to avoid getting food poisoned and sick;
* Make sure to carry Antibacterial wipes or gel with you at all times. I remember traveling in India and Thailand a few years ago and couldn't find a place to wash my hands prior to eating. This precautionary measure must be adhered to anywhere, not just in another country. You don't need to buy the biggest bottle of gel however take about 100 ml so that you can take it on board the airplane. If for some reason you have forgotten to buy some antibacterial make sure you use clean eating utensils and not your hands.
* Have a look at the kitchen and work spaces your food is being prepared in. Does it look safe? In this situation use your basic knowledge of food preparation and decide whether its safe. If you are scared of getting sick then I would definitely avoid street vendors and side carts. Having said this some of the best culinary experiences come from street foods.
* Are the locals eating there? If there are lots of locals eating from the store and there is a high turnover of food, it's usually a safe bet. This tells me that the food doesn't have long to sit around multiplying in bacteria and therefore safer than other places.
* No ice! I would avoid asking for ice with your beverages. There are many countries that do not use water treatment facilities for their main water supply. From time to time ice has caused many travelers to become ill. Ask for NO ice, and make sure your drink was sealed prior to buying. The only exception to this is generally in larger hotel chains or heavily frequented tourist locations where ice is made from bottled or filtered water.
* If you can't peel it, fry it or steam it then don't eat it. Eating raw fruits and vegetable is highly recommended by western society however when traveling try to avoid it as much as possible. Fruits and vegetables may have been cleaned in contaminated water therefore could be unsafe to eat. If you are eating fruit, make sure you can peel it. So Bananas, mandarins, avocados, etc are generally fine if you clean them yourselves. And yes, I would avoid eating raw salads unless it is from a larger chain hotel.
* Should I or shouldn't I eat meat while traveling? If meat is being cooked in front of you, and you are sure that it is cooked through then it should be fine. If in doubt, then don't eat meat.
* Travel with insurance. There is nothing more important than travel insurance when going to foreign places. This way you are assured that you will be looked after in the event that you get sick. Please check and double-check that you are covered prior to departing home.

Now don't let all these points scare you off eating exotic foods while traveling. The food is just as much a part of your cultural experience as the tourist locations. Just take caution when eating and you will have a great trip with lots of tasty memories.