Increasing food tolerance when travelling?

[Mal]

Any suggestions on how to train the body to tolerate food better from 2nd/3rd world countries? Things like getting used to the water so you could drink out of the tap or eat ice without concern? Being able to handle foreign bacteria better and extremely spicy food for every meal?

Of course there are always concerns about certain diseases and bugs (Guardia for example from water, various parasites from uncooked meat, or Hep from Oysters), and, I don't intend to go swimming in the Chao Phraya River so I'm not looking for a silver pill "fix all", just some general advice.

I know my body has built up a tolerance to certain foods and bacteria, apart from a food poisoning incident in KL several years ago I haven't really gotten sick recently from eating overseas, but the concern is always there. And I still try to practice safe eating overseas, although it is difficult at times.

I've seen products like Travelan (How to avoid Travellers' Diarrhoea with Travelan ) - although having to have them at every meal doesn't make life that simple.

Suggestions? Advice?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

2 immodiums and go nuts?


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[Oneworldplus2]

2 immodiums and go nuts?

Don't forget the combantrin ()

 

[Hvr]

Find the dodgiest restaurant in your local area and eat there once or twice a week, What doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

Read your local paper and see who is being prosecuted for selling rotten food, there is your next dinner out.

Having travelled in some dodgy places, such as Adelaide, Siam Rep, Bangkok and so on the only place I have ever been food sick overseas was Singapore. Not sure what happened but at least they have lots of public toilets with paper and so I survived.

When it hits staying hydrated is the most important so find something safe to drink, (beer if you're so inclined although I prefer diet soft drinks).

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Not sure what happened but at least they have lots of public toilets with paper and so I survived.

Probably the most under-rated item you can carry and never gets a mention.

I always recommend paper in the pocket. ALWAYS.
'It' can literally just 'hit' you and this 'paper' can save you.

Wise words Hvr, wise words.

 

[k_sheep]

You can always try probiotics, but I doubt they'd do anything above placebo.

I've lived and visited the dodgiest of dodgy SE asian places, never flinching about any food off the street (though I do boil the tap water), and the only place I've gotten sick is Hawaii (ooooooh for some immodium atop Mauna Kea!!). Mea culpa.

 

[KitKat]

Lived in Asia for the first half of my life but have now lost my tolerance for spicy food.
Yep, usually to combat this prior to a food trip, slowly increase my intake of spicy stuff over a few weeks (with initial deposits at ...), eventually some tolerance develops.. but still less than I previously recall
Not sure one can develop tolerance to the nasties..
Worst belly event was in HKG, following a visit at the "Tai Pai Tong - I think it was the dipping sauces which had been brewing with nasties on a hot summer day". A week of ongoing diarrhoea till sorted with an antibiotic.
I think for the nasties, best avoided, if necessary, minimise the load (intake)..... and copious amounts of alcohol to sterilise it all

 

[Storyteller]

One of the anti malarials I take is also good for preventing the Bali Belly.

 

[Sprucegoose]

You can always try probiotics, but I doubt they'd do anything above placebo.

I've lived and visited the dodgiest of dodgy SE asian places, never flinching about any food off the street (though I do boil the tap water), and the only place I've gotten sick is Hawaii (ooooooh for some immodium atop Mauna Kea!!). Mea culpa.

Agree Sheep, Boil the tap water or drink soda and wash your hands frequently, are the two best things you can do when you travel to different places.

The odd bout of the runs is actually very healthy for you, just not when you are traveling in 'different places'


You can't hold in the tide!

 

[Justchecking]

Honestly Ive not experiencd any problem with food or water oveseas. Eating out of an Australian food court is about as dodgy as it gets and you're more likely to get ill from that than consuming street food in Bangkok which is generally fresh. But if you have a sensitive gut its more likely to be a lack of intestinal flora than anything wrong with the food source. Take a probiotic everday.

 

[samiam]

Having travelled in some dodgy places, such as Adelaide, Siam Rep, Bangkok and so on the only place I have ever been food sick overseas was Singapore.

The only place I've had food poisoning was in Adelaide.

 

[munitalP]

My advice for the food poisoning is to ensure you have adequate supply of immodium with you, and if traveling into Asia, visit a pharmac_ once there and stock up on Amoxicillin 500 or 1000mg which is cheap. Check the use by date.

Some simple steps I also follow:

1 keep you hands clean. A tube of sanitizer in easy reach at all times

2 Always clean cans and bottles before drinking from them. Use fore mentioned sanitizer for this as well

3 Fresh food is good food. Apply this to restaurants wherever possible. A high turn over street stall will be fresher than a slow moving dodgy restaurant plus you can generally see the hygiene levels at the street stall vs out the back kitchen.

4 Drink regular Gin and Tonic. Check wiki for the prime ingredient in tonic water

5 Avoid chicken and fish unless you witness the said animal being dispatched. Many live tank restaurants in Asia load antibiotic into the tanks to avoid disease, avoid this as well.

Spicy food is another matter. Start creating a tolerance at home. Add chili to food to enhance taste where ever possible, fresh chili is an oxidizer, dried chili is a spice, so remember that when using either in cooking.

Last night we had a steamboat dinner where one soup was spicy enough that even 1 year ago I would not have been able to eat it due to the heat. Last nights dinner was very nice and I am glad I am able to now enjoy these meals.

The worst case of food poisoning I have had was from Singapore, the flash looking Chinese restaurant added that to food at no extra cost. Mrs munitalP and I stayed in the hotel a day and a bit, close to the toilet and the shower, with sever food poisoning they go hand in hand.



Sent using a fire, green leaves and blanket creating smoke signals.

 

[zig]

The only time I had food poisoning (salmonella) it was from from yum cha in Sydney. Never had any problems overseas.

Electrolyte replacement fluids are much better for dehydration than soft drinks or beer. I usually travel with some gastrolyte tablets just in case.

 

[Alanslegal]

If in NSW, eat at some of the "named and shamed eateries" and you will start developing some good immunity in no time

One of munitalP's fave restaurant Din Tai Fung Sydney makes it to above list for "failing to maintain at or near each hand washing facility a supply of warm running water". Sadly, there are a few others that I have been to that make it to the list.

 

[JohnK]

I have been sick 2-3 times in Thailand but nothing serious.

The best way to build tolerance against bacteria could be to somehow come into contact with it and allow the body to build up immunities against it.

I wouldn't intentionally go out trying to get sick but take some risks and be prepared for it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

The only time I had food poisoning (salmonella) it was from from yum cha in Sydney. Never had any problems overseas.

El

 ectrolyte replacement fluids are much better for dehydration than soft drinks or beer

. I usually travel with some gastrolyte tablets just in case.

yes agree, in the right place and quantity they can restore balance which you will feel good about. I wouldn't over rely on them though, but most handy indeed.

 

[samh004]

Any suggestions on how to train the body to tolerate food better from 2nd/3rd world countries? Things like getting used to the water so you could drink out of the tap or eat ice without concern? Being able to handle [-]foreign bacteria better and[/-] extremely spicy food for every meal?

Sounds like you want to be invited to another BBQ on the Gold Coast and face off against Andrew!

 

[xquisite]

My hubby has a weak digestive system anyway and always suffered when o/s - not because of anything dodgy per se, just because of the different microbes you come into contact with in different places. The worst virus he picked up (in hospital for a week) was in France. Anyhoo, our last couple of Asian trips he's been fine and we eat at hawker stalls a lot of the time. As well as taking a herbal virus medicine from the naturopath daily to boost his immune system, he takes slippery elm bark. The powder is the best (if you can stomach it). Otherwise just take the capsules. Start a week or two before you leave & keep taking them during your travels. They coat the gut enough so that you are somewhat protected. We were the only people to not get sick the last time we travelled with friends in Southern Thailand.

Oh, and I agree with using the antibac wipes or drops before eating. I'd never use them here, but just handling money and daily stuff will bring you into contact with microbes that are perfectly fine for people who are resistant to them, but may not agree with you.

 

[purplegez]

I swear by Travelan tablets. Working regularly in China I found I often got diarrhea that needed Antibiotics to clear up, and that's in spite of scrupulous attempts to protect myself. Since using Travelan I have not been sick once while travelling. I also used them to travel through Cambodia and Bali. I don't find a tablet before each meal a hassle at all, far less hassle than a dodgy tummy and no toilet nearby! I chew the tablets as I find they are quite large to swallow whole, they taste fine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

me too.... travel an is the way to go.

never really had a problem remembering to take them... and you can take them after a meal too if you forget, or even in between meals if you are feeling a little off colour.