It’s important to plan out your meals before you embark on your travels
Part of what makes travel a once in a lifetime experience is the opportunity to enjoy delicacies unique to different countries and different people.
As you travel, one of the things you need to factor in is what you will eat.
With proper planning, you will get to taste the heart of your travel destination you without regret. To avoid missing meals or medical emergencies due to bad food hygiene or allergies, here are some tips to help you avoid experiencing eating troubles when you travel.
1. Plan ahead
It is advisable to call your hotel or restaurant you wish to dine in in prior to travelling. If you are staying at the hotel, decide whether you want a full board or not and discuss any additional charges. Also, remember that to eat in some restaurants you need to make reservations early enough. It can be very disappointing when you arrive and you are unable to eat at a restaurant because of a lack of proper planning. Confirm your reservation a day before to ensure things run smoothly.
2. Read restaurant reviews
When travelling to a new place, it can be hard to find a good restaurant. To prevent any disappointments, look for information on the restaurants that will be near your hotel. Note the menus, special offerings like vegan meals, what time they open and close. Pay attention to the reviews and ratings from previous patrons. There are numerous sites online which list restaurants and allow patrons to give reviews. If you are thorough, you should be armed with enough information on if a restaurant has good service and whether it’s suitable for your needs or not.
Be wary of poor hygiene and food that is not prepared well as this can cause serious illness
3. Beware of health risks
Food safety specialists advise travellers to be wary of the risks associated with food and water. Cholera and other harmful bacteria are still a problem that the world faces today. If you’re unsure about the standards of hygiene when you visit a restaurant, avoid eating raw produce such as freshly cut salads, meats and fish that aren’t cooked well, drinking tap water or freshly squeezed juices. If you are planning on camping and other outdoor activities, steer clear of bush meats because they pose a series of health risks. Instead, you should only drink bottled water and other sealed drinks from trusted sources and consume meat and fish that have been well cooked. This will help you avoid food poisoning.
4. Do all the cooking
Another great way to counter eating troubles while you travel is by cooking for yourself. Visit the stores and supermarkets to shop for groceries that you will need during your stay. This is a solution for you if you plan to stay in villas, Airbnbs, cottages or any other flexible form of accommodation.
5. Beware of your limitations
If you know you get car sick, chances are that you might get airsick or seasick as these are all forms of motion sickness. With less severe cases, there are over the counter medications that can help you deal with the discomfort for short journeys. For long journeys and severe cases of motion sickness, you should consult your doctor on ways in which you can handle them and the eating dilemmas that come with such.
You can also prepare your own meals
6. Emergency supplies
It’s not unusual to experience common digestive problems when you’re travelling. Stomach upsets can be as a result of overeating, consuming food that is too spicy, etc. Carry some over-the-counter medicines to help you deal with general issues of bloating, acidity, constipation, as well as a running stomach. Having these on hand will save you from running around looking for a chemist.
7. Carry extra snacks
This tip is especially handy when you’re travelling with kids. Children are likely to get grumpy and irritable when they are hungry. When there is limited time for stops, ensure that you carry some snacks for your kids to eat on the way until you get to a restaurant where you can have a proper meal. You will also benefit from the snacks as you will have something to nibble on should you get hungry. The trip might end up being less enjoyable if all you can think about is your rambling tummy.
