10 Foods to Avoid while Travelling in Asia

One thing everyone appreciates about Asia is the diverse culture one gets to experience. One amazing thing that you will experience in Asia is the food. The variety and affordability of food on offer makes you forget that diet you are on.  The food is okay sometimes eating foreign food in a foreign country may determine if your trip is a pain or enjoyable.

Many travelers especially those on their first Asian adventure tend to get sick from the food they eat. Our bodies react differently to substances and so you may see a local eating a particular dish and it goes horribly wrong for you. Your immune system and responses are not similar to theirs! A large portion of Asian delicacies is raw. These raw foods may have contents that make you sick. Although there’s no guarantee for you to avoid getting sick from the food you eat while you are in Asia, there are some you will just have to avoid. These foods include:

Seafood

All through Asia, the one thing that will remain constant is the fact that most seafood is raw. Foods that have raw fish and shellfish are likely to be full of bad microorganism. This is a sure way of giving yourself stomach problems. Cooking them is sure to get rid of the bad microorganisms that will cause havoc. While common fish that makes sushi and sashimi is okay, raw shellfish like mussels and oysters can be dangerous. For your own sake just avoid these foods especially if you can’t see the preparation process.

Asia Fried Rice

Rice is the staple food of most countries in Asia and as a result, you are not likely to avoid it. Most Asian restaurants cook fried rice in a pan that also cooks the meat. The cleanliness of the pan will determine what fried rice you get. Poorly cleaned pans might gather scraps of meat over time making them contaminated. When that same pan makes fried rice, you will most likely get a dish with scraps of contaminated meat. If you want fried rice, ensure that the chef makes it in a clean and separate pan.

Raw Eggs

Asian cuisine is big on raw foods. A delicious dish that you will come across in Asia, is Ramen. Some Japanese restaurants are famous for serving hot Ramen with a raw egg in it. Be on the lookout for raw or partially cooked eggs in this dish. Raw eggs are a great source of salmonella and that might ruin your whole trip. When ordering foods like Ramen and Sizzling Sisig in the Philippines, ask for a hardboiled egg. The Philippines put pork and an uncooked egg on top of a sizzling hot iron platter to make the beautiful dish that is Sizzling Sisig. Wait for the platter to cool as it cooks the egg.

Undercooked Meat

Countries in Southeast Asia are famously known for their street foods. A major component of these foods is meat. They make the best to go meals when traveling in Asia. Always check whether the meat is well done. It is no secret that undercooked meat is tastier but it can give you serious health problems.  Raw meat is home to bad microorganisms that are dangerous to your health. The heat destroys some of these organisms but it is advisable to eat well-cooked meat.

Salads

Seems that the diet we were on is finally creeping back. Make sure you look for salads that are made from fresh vegetables. If you can see the preparation process, the better. Eating salads in a foreign country is not something any medical practitioner would recommend. This is because raw vegetable leaves are home to bad microorganisms. One cannot also tell whether the water was clean.

Overly-Greasy Foods

Greasy foods are one of the most delicious things you will eat while in Asia. The availability of greasy foods in Asia is astounding. The only problem with this kind of food is that it gives you stomach problems. Greasy foods also cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Sauces

For most of us eating any form of food without sauces is a no. The only reason sauces make this list is because you don’t know the contents of the sauce. for all we know the sauce may have a number of harmful substances. For your health’s sake avoid them at all costs. If you can’t avoid them, make sure that they are properly prepared.

Milk

Not many food-related discomforts are because of milk. Avoid it in countries like India. A local beverage called Lassi is made from yogurt. Ice and water from the tap are also components of  the drink. Avoid it as you have no way to tell whether the water is clean if the dairy process was clean among other things. Ignoring such details might land you in trouble health-wise.

Tap Water

By now everyone knows to avoid contaminated water. Drink only bottled and canned beverages on your trip. This will reduce the risk of exposing you to contaminants that might make you sick. When brushing your teeth don’t swallow the water.

10. Drinks with Ice

Ice is a welcomed site in Asia. The weather conditions in most Asian countries is hot and humid. This will make you order ice along with any beverage you are having during your trip. Most clubs and restaurants in Asia make ice cubes from tap water. As contaminated water is a host to many harmful microorganisms it is best to avoid ordering ice during your trip.

Sadly, there is no way to guarantee you a sick-free trip. Some foods not on the list might make you sick. If you get sick during the trip, make sure you visit a hospital. Take plenty of rest as you wait for your medication to work. Drink plenty of fluids and remember to avoid tap water. A high intake of fluids is key to your body’s recuperation. Remember to also pack tablets that will help with common sicknesses such as flu and stomach. Familiarizing yourself with the dos and don’ts of traveling is key.