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Travelling is all about fun, food, and good company. But does that mean you can eat whatever comes your way while travelling? Sadly no! Certain foods and drinks tend to cause diarrhoea, upset stomach, and other health problems, disrupting your travel plans and making you regret eating those. We have curated this list of foods to eat and avoid while travelling to save you from falling prey to such situations. Please read on!
Fresh fruits are one of the best foods you can rely on while travelling. Not only are fruits easily available, but they are also easily digestible and provide you with that much required instant energy while travelling. However, you should not buy sliced fruit from the roadside. It might be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria, and those are not something you want to consume on a trip.
A quick tip: Carry a knife in your bag, if possible, so you can buy fruits, slice those by yourself, and have fruits while on the go.
Dry fruits provide instant energy because they are full of healthy fats. You can pack some in your handbag, so you don’t even have to worry about buying them later. Anytime you feel hungry, you can snack on a few. The snack is non-perishable and won’t cause traveller’s diarrhoea. So, we can say dry fruits are an ideal travel snack.
While having some packaged snacks is okay, eating popcorn is a better option while travelling. It contains a good amount of fibre and promotes digestive health. It also contains minimum calories, so it will help you stay in shape while travelling.
A quick tip: You can pop your own popcorn kernels at home with some butter to make it taste one step better and pack it in your handbag.
Heat destroys most of the disease-causing microorganisms in food. So, food served hot is generally safe to eat while travelling. If you are going on a long trip, you can not rely on snacks for energy. You can order hot noodles, soup, or any hot food that is easily available. The hot cup noodles served on flights might not be the tastiest option, but they are definitely better than the samosas and sandwiches sold at airports. Alternatively, you can order other types of hot foods from family hotels in the area of your stay.
It is very important to stay hydrated while travelling. As long as you have access to a toilet, you can drink lots of water. Just make sure it is mineral water with a factory-sealed bottle. Avoid tap water at all costs.
Tea and coffee are usually your go-to beverages while travelling; if it is winter, you enjoy these hot beverages even more. Suppose you are on a winter trip to a hill station like Shimla or Darjeeling, having a delicious cup of hot coffee served in one of the best hotels such as OYO 10692 Hotel Shubham, Capital O 81877 Pahuna Upvan, or OYO 47847 Himalayan Brook can be a real delight. Steaming hot tea and coffee should be safe while travelling as long as it is served hygienically.
While travelling, many people enjoy snacking on oily foods such as pakoras and samosas. Not only are these foods a source of bacterial contamination, but they are also hard to digest in summer, giving rise to problems like gas, acidity, and indigestion. It is the best to minimise the consumption of oily food while on the go.
While canned and processed food seems like an easy option on journeys because they are ready to eat, it is important to note that it contains preservatives and is highly processed. Consuming too much of such food can cause health problems on your journey.
Most Indian sweets contain dairy products as one of the main ingredients, and we don’t miss a chance to have them while travelling. However, it is best not to have them while on your trip. You don’t know where the milk that goes in the making came from and if it was pasteurised or not.
While it’s challenging to stay away from street food while travelling, it is the best thing to do if you care about your health. Street vendors don’t always follow hygiene practices like handwashing and the usage of gloves while preparing food. Therefore, such food has a higher chance of being contaminated. It is okay to have street food once in a while when at home, but you don’t want to get sick while travelling.
Tap water is unsafe to drink even at home, let alone travelling. While at home, we disinfect tap water by boiling or filtering; but we can’t do the same while travelling. It is best to stick with bottled water and even use it to brush your teeth, as it includes swallowing water.
When you are travelling during the summer, having fruit juice from the street vendor might be tempting but beware, it is not a healthy option. It is better to go for bottled juice or prepare your own fruit juice if you can.
Be careful about what you eat while travelling. Getting a stomach upset or diarrhoea is the last thing you want on a trip. It is better to make good choices than regret them later. Before planning your next trip, book the best hotels in the area in advance via OYO and enjoy fresh and hygienic food when you are away from home.
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April 15, 2024 
