Stomach problems from foreign food

If you're planning a trip abroad, find out how to avoid common stomach problems from foreign ethnic foods your body is not accustomed to.

When you travel to a foreign land, you can often get an upset stomach or intestinal problems from eating their food and drinking the water. There are three main causes for these health problems. One, the food is not prepared in a clean environment. You are more apt to find cleanliness a problem if you eat at a backwoods establishment. Or, the food was prepared by using contaminated water. While it's important that you drink enough water to replenish your body each day, stay away from unclean water! Look for bottled water, juices, soft drinks, and tea when you're thirsty. If you can't find prepackaged liquids that should be safe, be sure that you carry water purification tablets with you on your trip. These would be handy to have anyhow for those times when you find yourself in a backwoods environment that doesn't offer bottled beverages.

The second reason is that the food was not stored or prepared properly. That is, maybe the meat is undercooked. Or, maybe it wasn't stored in a refrigerator or other cold area before it was prepared. Eating meat that is not completely cooked and eating food that is contaminated can both cause food poisoning.

In order to avoid stomach problems from foreign food, stay away from raw meat, fish, and poultry. If the foreign land you're visiting isn't a developed country, then you should also avoid eating raw vegetables, salads, and fruit that is not washed and peeled.

To help avoid food poisoning, you should eat hot foods when they are hot, and cold foods when they are cold. That is, don't eat any type of food that has been left out on a counter and gotten to room temperature.

And the third reason is that your body just isn't used to eating rich, fried, or unusual dishes that are offered on your trip. For example, many sauces are made with rich butter, while deep fried foods are often fried in lard. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, for example, is a relatively common health problem that can be caused from eating too much fatty foods. This syndrome can be extremely painful. It can cause stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.

If you get an upset stomach, gas, or bloating after eating, you can usually take an over the counter remedy to help you feel better. There are products that coat and soothe an upset stomach, products that relieve gas and bloating, and antacids too. Hopefully, when you packed for your trip to a foreign land, you packed some of these remedies with you!

In the meantime, while you're waiting on relief from your symptoms, you can sip clear soup or broth. Also, make sure that you drink plenty of other liquids such as clean water, juices, and teas to help flush the irritants from your body. Stay away from coffee, alcoholic beverages, greasy and spicy foods, and aspirin! Aspirin is another cause of stomach problems.

If your symptoms persist, or become more severe, then you should find professional medical help.

Finally, by following the recommendations in this article, you should be able to avoid any serious stomach problems during your travels. Of course, if you visit Iran and you enjoy a dish of Khoresh-e Alu, which is made with a stewed prune sauce, don't be surprised if you don't find yourself running for help!

© Demand Media 2011