Eating and drinking in a third world country

[ewalk]

So I will try to tie this to EDC so bear with me. I have experienced first hand travelers diarrhea. I was wondering how to prevent it. I know to not eat fruits and veggies that you do not peel. Also do not eat things that are cold(ie not heated/cooked). Also, do not use ice. So pretty much bottled water and hot foods. But what about glasses, showers, eating utensils and plates? how do you get around not eating off them? or do you just not worry about it? I am bringing Cipro and Imodium in case I do get sick though.

Thanks!!!

[jag-engr]

I know to not eat fruits and veggies that you do not peel.

Peeling takes off most of the germs, but they can stick to the knife and are reintroduced to the fruit on the next cut. Fruits and vegetables should be washed with a produce wash. It is commonly available in many places - it comes in a little bottle that you dilute in water and soak the fruits and vegetables in. If this is not available, bleach water can be used. You are trying to kill bacteria, particularly encysted amoebas.

Also do not eat things that are cold(ie not heated/cooked).

If they are properly washed, it can still be safe.

But what about glasses, showers, eating utensils and plates? how do you get around not eating off them? or do you just not worry about it?

Put bleach in your rinse water and let the dishes rest in it for a while. If eating at a restaurant, they usually know what to do to keep their patrons from getting sick.

I am bringing Cipro and Imodium in case I do get sick though.

Those will be good if you do get sick, but my doctor, a frequent traveler himself, recommended Pepto chewables - two tablets twice a day. They will keep your digestive system from overreacting to new bacteria and will ease the transition if you get any bad bacteria. They also have the added benefit of ensuring regularity...

[ewalk]

Thanks for the reply. I think I will take your advice on the pepto. Yeah, I dont know about you, but sometime a "foreign" toilet stops things like a cork :P

[Tango 191]

My advice, if you are able to and if money alots, and you don't mind crappy/decent food(depends who your talking too :)), Buy (what ever number) of MRE's (meals ready to eat) pack them in your Checked bag and eat thous while your there, you cant go wrong, and its soo simple to prep, and bottled water the entire time

all the best,
Tango 191

[Monocrom]

My advice, if you are able to and if money alots, and you don't mind crappy/decent food(depends who your talking too :)), Buy (what ever number) of MRE's (meals ready to eat) pack them in your Checked bag and eat thous while your there, you cant go wrong, and its soo simple to prep, and bottled water the entire time

all the best,
Tango 191

That's what I was thinking too. Perhaps an extra bag filled with enough MREs for the trip. (Assuming it won't be a long trip.)

Many MREs aren't too tasty. But compared to what's available in a 3rd World Nation, then it becomes a different story.

[Towanda]

Don't drink your shower water. Use bottled water for toothbrushing, both for the brush and for rinsing. No salads! :)

[deathcaps]

Eating is one of the greatest joys of traveling, and travelers diarrhea definitely takes much of that joy away. If you stick to bottled drinks (check the seals when you buy from a store!) boiled water (tea, coffee, etc) and skip the ice, you should be fine. If you're going to be traveling for a long time (more than a month) buy a water filter from a camping goods store so you don't have to be constantly buying bottled water. Use filtered water for brushing your teeth, and don't open your mouth in the shower.

One of the things I found with travelers diarrhea is that sometimes it's not bacteria that's making you sick, but your body getting used to new foods and spices... just take lots of Pepto and it should go away in a few days.

I would advise against MREs.... food in third world countries is cheap and delicious if you're careful, so don't miss out on culinary delights!

[logpond]

when in doubt and it's available, go to an international fastfood resto...

[Avery]

I would hate to travel if I was always worried about getting sick from eating something, some of best parts of traveling is experiencing the food.

Get yourself some Acidophilus (pro biotic) and enjoy. When or if you feel the belly rumbles start taking the acidophilus and you will be fine. I ate everything that looked good to me (in Ecuador and all over the world) and even some stuff that didn't look so good. The only time I got diarrhea on my last trip South was when I drank some crushed sugar cain juice that I purchased from a street vendor. The worst experience I had was in Guatemala after I had 2 egg McMuffins at Mickie D's. I though I was going to die... and my wife said I smelled like I did.

[prdubi]

Lots of water and just stick to general products. My best advice is to eat at the hotels.....they wouldn't still be in business if the customers are dropping dead