What foods do should we not go near to avoid getting sick?

mjball

I know that obviously softserve icecream, salads, any fruits not peelable, water, milk..... help? THANKYOU!!!!

wonderwomanusa

Don't eat anything that grows below your knees. Especially avoid that innocent-looking strawberry juice in Mumbai!

Make sure milk has been boiled -- though I must say, the only place I was ever offered warm milk was in the Ahmedabad train station (ladies' waiting room). Milk in chai is okay because it's all boiled together.

If you like street food, make sure they are cooking it in front of you; don't eat it if it's been standing around.

I avoid the curd (dahi) though others swear by it. I think it gives me the runs... others think it cures them.

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mjball

Eeeeh and I have such a sensitive stomach... hope I can avoid getting sick....not long now, only 11 weeks till we leave!

bijapuri

Alcohol seems to really mess people up in India. Maybe it's the heat, and maybe the quality. If you're looking for a buzz, there are alternatives aplenty.

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pooch

I think most problems with dahi and milk is mainly due to lactose intolerance. Bijapuri spot on , alcohol just doesn't go with the heat.

rab

Most important is hand hygiene. Take a small tube of anti-bacterial gel - the alcohol based type you rub on your hands and it dries quickly - like Carex in the UK.

Use this before you eat. Take and good sharp knife and peel fruit like apples. We ate hard-boiled eggs a lot in India without problems and they're obviously very nutritious.

There isn't much you can do to stop you catching something when you eat or drink at restaurants or bars. Use the busy ones not the empty ones is good practice - it usually means they are good value as well as safe.

Just tell yourself you won't be ill, take reasonable precautions and you will be fine.

Last visit I was OK but the first time I went to India I came back with Giardia and I'm sure it was from glasses. You know if you buy a bottled drink and request no ice and they pour it into a wet glass with water in it from recent washing up.

My mate tells me this all the time and it annoys me to death but he is right don't drink from wet glasses!

pooch

You now get anti bacterial hand cleansers similar to clarex mfg. by Himalya drug company, good stuff and available at any pharmacy, cost= Rs. 39/-

mountaingirl

Before each meal (especially a spicy meal) and during the day (when thirsty) - Drink a lot of Lemon soda. Also helpful when you have problems with your stomach or generally feeling lethargic!

LaContessa

Drink plenty of bottled water, chai and lime/lemon sodas

I personally avoid eating meat and stick to vegetarian food but that this your choice. I do eat fish and seafood whilst at the beaches.

Never eat stuff that has been sitting around.

I avoid curd and milk too.

And I do take a container of multi-vitamins with me, just incase you find your diet isn't providing what it should.

I never had a problem with alcohol in India, but treat it with respect, for example sitting out in the hot sun downing booze won't do you any favours, and ensure you are not already dehydrated before drinking it. No ice in the drinks.

Most of all, don't get paranoid at it, just use common sense and have a great time. The food of India is part of the experience.

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turlapati

Accept the fact that your stomach will be upset somewhat on your first trip. That is inevitable.
My survival tips: eat only vegetarian, no eggs, good cold yoghurt will settle (some people's) upset tummies. Another great remedy is Limca.
Double check the seal on your bottled water. There was a scandle a couple of years ago with folks filling used bistleri bottles with local water.
With a long flight and jet lag you start your trip somewhat dehydrated. Coffee. tea. and alcohol make that worse, if you plan on celebrating your arrival with a bash, load up on the water first.
Enjoy!

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Tomi

I'm curious about the different parts of India, how they differ in terms of your likelihood of getting sick.
My next trip is likely to be to UP and West Bengal. If I didn't get sick at all in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and southern Karnataka, even having drunk hotel and restaurant-provided unbottled water, is there any new danger posed by those places? Or am I one of the lucky resistant people, if there is such a thing and it's not all chance?

bijapuri

washing the hands
drining nimbu sodas (Namak)
bottled water,and iodinized hotel water
staying in middle class hotels, as opposed to rock bottom bus stand lodges
eating curds daily
multivitamins with a Vit. C chaser
not shaking hands
staying mainly in the south
avoiding scruffy western tourists and the places they frequent
taking whatever the local corner chemist gives me when I do get ill

and VIOLA!
15 trips and 33 years later, I'm still standing!

wonderwomanusa

You won't necessarily get sick, but take plenty of immodium with you.

vistet

also : avoid attempts at western foods in these places

curd, curd , curd, esp. if you are on antibiotics (or dry form capsules if you feel more comfortable with that)

Edit : what I meant was EAT curd

mjball

That is all fantastic information....will definitely be re-reading these posts just before I go! 11 weeks!