8 Food Safety Tips When Traveling Abroad

     You might have your vacation or travel plans all set, but have you thought about the food that you will eat when you travel outside of the U.S.? The World Health Organization estimates that 2 million people die each year from drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food.  That is about 1 in 10 people!  The risk ranges from mild traveler’s diarrhea to serious hepatitis A or even typhoid and fatal illnesses that are caused by harmful bacteria, parasites, viruses, and chemical substances.  

    If you are traveling, make sure to follow these tips: 

1. Plan Ahead  

-Research your destination and anticipate issues like food safety that could occur on your trip. 

-Research the water supply and check if your destination has a drinkable water supply and medical care in case you become ill.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers’ Health and the U.S. Department of State Travel Information can help with this. 

-Check the altitude, for some people, especially children, can become sick above 8,000 feet. 

2. Visit a Health Care Provider Before You Go 

-Find out about any vaccines you may need to get before you go to your destination. 

-Stock up on prescriptions to last the entire trip. 

-Don’t forget over-the-counter medications in case you experience GI symptoms like diarrhea, heartburn, or gas.  You can talk to your doctor about recommendations. 

3. Pack Smartly 

-Ensure you carry hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to wash your hands and to clean surfaces. 

-Stash nonperishable food items (not liquids) in your carry-on luggage. Traveling can often have delays, and you never know when you will eat again, especially since airport food can be expensive. 

-Bring a travel health kit and your health insurance card.  Place prescription drugs in your carry-on luggage. 

-Whenever in doubt, don’t drink tap or well water or anything that was made with it, including fountain drinks.  It is best to go with sealed, bottled beverages. 

4. Keep Your Guard Up 

-Avoid eating raw meat, fish, shellfish, and eggs; you can get sick from eating undercooked, raw, and contaminated foods and even beverages. 

-The FDA also advises avoiding raw produce, including salads.  This reduces your risk of coming into contact with fruits and vegetables that have been rinsed with unsafe tap water or have been contaminated. 

5. Always Err on the Side of Caution 

-Make sure to avoid foods that have been sitting at room temperature, for these foods fall under the temperature “danger zone” where bacteria thrive.  This includes not eating from buffets since the food may not always be held at safe temperatures, so stick to colder or hotter foods. 

6. Watch Out for All Water Sources 

-Go by the rule of: if you have to ask, don’t drink it.  The FDA recommends avoiding tap water, including cocktails, ice, and water to brush your teeth.  This water can be contaminated with amoebas, parasites, and many viruses, including hepatitis. 

-Choose drinks that come in manufactured-sealed containers, like bottled or canned beverages, to stay on the safe side. Also, make sure to pick pasteurized dairy products. 

7. Wash Your Hands 

-Make sure to clean your hands often if you are at home or even abroad.  Proper hand washing is important when minimizing and preventing foodborne illnesses. 

-Use soap or hand sanitizer.  Wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before eating or after using the bathroom.  If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Always pack some with you for easy access. 

8. Take Care of Yourself if You Get Sick 

-Make sure to stay hydrated, especially if you experience diarrhea, and make sure to drink plenty of clean fluids. 

-Make sure to seek help if you need medical treatment.  The U.S. Department of State can help travelers access and locate medical services. 

    Now go and enjoy your trip with ease of mind! 

 

Source: https://www.eatright.org/food/planning/away-from-home/8-food-safety-tips-when-traveling-abroad 

How to Talk to Kids about Weight

Weight can be a sensitive subject, especially for children and teenagers. The thin ideal has reached kids as young as six years old, who are concerned about their weight and body image. 

How someone approaches this topic on weight and body image is very important, as it can have lifelong implications.  Some tips to discuss with kids and what to do if a child brings them up are as follows: 

 

-Encourage open dialogue by talking with your children about weight.  Please encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings when they bring them up.  Make sure to listen to them fully and explain that you should always love your body, and that people naturally come in all shapes and sizes.  

-Don’t make negative comments about your body or your child's body, for this can result in long-term detrimental effects to your child's body image and relationship with food.  

-Take action by teaching your kids habits that will help them live healthy for life. Try to get your kids to exercise and eat balanced meals.  

-Avoid the blame game by never punishing or threatening your children about their weight, food, or physical activity.  This can result in shame and failure and worsen how children feel about their weight and body image. 

-Have a united front by making sure both parents and other important relatives are on the same page, for mixed messages about weight can have unhealthy consequences. 

-Talk with your healthcare provider to discuss concerns and to ask about suggestions for making positive changes in your family’s eating habits and activity levels. 

-Seek advice by looking for a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in pediatrics to help your family or children.  Many hospitals and clinics have programs for education and activities for everyone in the family, and some may even be covered by your insurance. 

-Focus on health by considering your child’s overall health.  Having a household where everyone eats healthy and moves their body can create lifelong habits for your children.  Make sure to compliment your children on their lifestyle behaviors to encourage health. 

 

What to do if your child says, “I’m so fat.” 

If your child says this, try to learn where their thoughts and feelings about being overweight came from.   Did a friend at school tease your child about their weight, or did a relative talk about their weight negatively?  These painful issues can come from kids of all sizes, so if another child or adult is bullying your child, confront the situation as quickly as possible.   

 

What to do if your child is “overweight” 

Weight loss in young children can interfere with their growth and negative impact on their body image and relationship with food.  It is important to work with health care professionals like registered dietitians or your pediatrician to choose specific changes that you can make in your family’s eating and activity levels to set healthier habits.   

Be mindful, however, that every family is different and that change occurs slowly, so be patient and remember that healthy eating habits and activity have many benefits, more than just weight maintenance. 

 

Source: https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/weight-and-body-positivity/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-weight