Delhi belly, also known as travelers diarrhea, can happen anywhere in the world, but is famously a common occurrence in India. A few years ago, while I was living in India for 2 months, I had become familiar with the delhi belly experience. This caused me to worry every time I ate or drank anything, if it would end in regret. I was a fairly new traveler, and this was my first time encountering the mysticism of street vendors and the alluring smell of spices. However, I was so focused on the fear of getting sick, that I didn't get to enjoy the new and exciting foods around me!
It was only when I started empowering myself to learn what foods were safe and what to avoid, that I began to enjoy the experience rather than go through everything with fear of illness around the corner. India is such a beautiful place and I’m so glad I was able to fully embrace the experience!
Here are some tips I've learned along the way:
Research the location before you leave. The CDC is a great resource provides prevention tips and advice based on your location of travel.
Be mindful of where you eat. While choosing a place to eat, take some time to look around to see where they are cooking the food, how it’s being cooked, where the food is being stored, etc.
Stick to cooked foods. Generally, stick to cooked foods. Make sure your meat is fully cooked and that your fruits and vegetables are either cooked or have a think outer peel.
Drink bottled beverages. Ensure that your beverage is totally sealed before consuming. If not drinking bottled water, make sure you know the method of water treatment that was used (filtration, boiled, or chemically treated with iodine or chlorine).
Avoid ice. Often ice is made with tap water.
Be careful in the restroom. Do not open your mouth in the shower, and do not brush your teeth with the sink water.
Wash your hands often. Wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom.
Take probiotics and colostrum. Focusing on gut health before you take your trip can help you during your trip. Look into probiotics, prebiotics, and colostrum.
Ultimately, the fear of being sick can ruin a great trip! Preparing and taking precautions can help ease some of those fears to have a truly memorable trip.
Disclaimer: Any information obtained from this blog and website is NOT medical advice, and does NOT substitute for the care of a physician and/or other healthcare provider and is not intended to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure any illness, disease, or medical condition.
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