Safe Eats and Drinks
So what foods are safe to eat? Any foods that have been boiled are generally safe, as well as fruits and
vegetables that have to be peeled before eating. Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat or meat
that is not cooked just prior to serving.
Stay away from foods that require a lot of handling before serving. Here's an example: Nine friends ate
at a restaurant when on a school trip overseas; eight had diarrhea the next day. The one who didn't get
sick was the only one who had ordered a dish that didn't need to be touched by human hands right
before serving.
One of your favorite foods at home is on the safe list on the road - pizza! Pizza dough, sauce, and
cheese are foods that are less likely to spoil than others, and the high heat of a pizza oven tends to kill
any harmful bacteria in the food.
You've probably heard that you shouldn't drink the water in some countries overseas, but did you
know why? Water supplies in many developing countries are not treated in the same way as water
supplies in developed countries; various bacteria, viruses, and parasites are commonly found in the
water. Many experts suggest you drink only bottled water when traveling. If you need to use tap
water, you should boil it first or purify it with an iodine tablet. Even if you're brushing your teeth,
rinsing contact lenses, drinking a small glass of water to wash down pills, or adding ice to your drink,
first take precautions to ensure the water is safe.
Updated and reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2007