We Americans are very wary of eating food from street vendors especially street vendors in other countries. We are this way because there is a chance of getting sick. In my experience of traveling to over 30 countries, I can count only one instance of food borne illness. Sure there have been upset stomachs and I will even admit to small amounts of diarrhea. But that can come from eating rich foods.
Over all Kelly and I prefer to eat street food because that is where the locals go and usually it’s safe food. But before taking on any eating adventures, I start building my immune system to handle less hygienic eating establishments. I believe my tips work and I will share them with you.
Start with #1 to build up immune system in order to handle #5
- If you drop food on the floor, eat it. Don’t wash it, just eat it.
- Don’t wash your hands before you eat, especially after handling public items, like shopping carts, door handles.
- Eat your yogurt warm. Make sure the consistency is soupy and has been at room temperature for a few hours.
- Pick a local restaurant that is suspected of unhygienic practices.
- Put some food outside on a picnic table, preferably near a smelly barn full of manure. Let some flies land on the food then eat it.
If you think this whole list is disgusting and you can’t get past numbers one and two, then you need to watch a young child eat. They eat things off the floor and never wash their hands before putting things in their mouth and somehow they survive.
Of course these are only suggestions but there are many reasons why you should eat street food on your trips. Check out my top Five .
Moorea - Nav Desk
