stdClass Object ( [ID] => 20979 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2012-10-24 06:39:34 [post_date_gmt] => 2012-10-24 06:39:34 [post_content] => Eating anywhere abroad can be a bit of an ordeal for the gut and the taste buds, but nowhere more so than in India. While there are plenty of dishes you'll love here, unfortunately--and I won't beat about the bush--some can set your stomach and bowels on edge also. I've just had a dose of said experience in the hills of north India so take it from someone who knows! Anyway here are a few tips for foreigners to survive India with fewer stomach related mishaps. [caption id="attachment_20985" align="alignnone" width="720" caption="A Gujurati woman making bread on the fire. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com"][/caption] Watch for hygiene If you're out and about and looking for somewhere to eat here's a few of my methods for determining if it's a good place to eat. Is the place busy? If it's packed with locals it's a good sign it's probably considered a good, safe place to eat. Is the chef's shirt clean? If the chef, the waiters or other staff are walking around in shirts that look like they need a good wash, chances are the food won't be much cleaner. What are the conditions of the tables? Are they spattered with food and crawling with flies? I always think if they can't wipe down a table once in awhile the food won't be the best. Should I eat from street stalls? This is entirely your call but if you're new to India and/or know your stomach is a little sensitive then the answer is probably no. Having said that chapatis and other breads and snacks like peanuts or samosas made by the roadside are generally fine and you can miss some amazing food if you avoid these places altogether. Be selective and careful when making your choice if you decide to go for it. [caption id="attachment_20983" align="alignnone" width="700" caption="A streetside stall. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com"][/caption] Is it okay to eat meat in India? I just spent two weeks with an Australian family that visit India intermittently. They always go vegetarian when they are here. They swear it has kept them safe from bacterial infections. My thoughts are it's more where they eat as opposed to what that has enabled them to stay healthy. However it is true wherever you come from that meat does carry more bacteria than vegetables. Getting fish inland a long way from water is also something to be avoided. Where did that water come from? This should always be your primary concern in India. Water in taps, showers, swimming pools, ice, soft serve icecream and other sources is not clean. If you get a plate, a knife, a cup or bowl with droplets of water on it, wipe them down first. Always request "no ice" in all your drinks and avoid soft serve icecream at all costs. Salad should be avoided unless peeled and dry as the water used to clean and prepare them just might not be good for the belly. Always use filtered or bottled water. Many people go as far as cleaning their teeth with filtered water to avoid all contact with any potential germs. [caption id="attachment_20984" align="alignnone" width="717" caption="Deciphering signs in the market might be half the challenge. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com"][/caption] Try everything once Food looks and tastes different when you travel, but you won't know if you like it until you try some. I just met a number of Manipurians (from north east India) in Andra Pradesh (south India) and even to them the food in the south is very foreign. Still their guide told them to "try everything once", even things they couldn't identify, as they just might like it. Don't overdo the spices This might be easier said than done but basically it's best to try just one spicy dish at a time. That means having rice or chapati with just one other dish eg. dahl (lentils), butter chicken, paneer tikka etc but it does help your stomach adjust to the spices. Combining too many foods at once can make you feel ill at ease. [caption id="attachment_20980" align="alignnone" width="855" caption="Chillies are added to just about every dish in India. Pic: Joanne Lane, www.visitedplanet.com"][/caption] Getting sick If you do get sick it isn't the end of the world, although it might feel like that for a few days. When I first lived in India I was given a good piece of advice - never make plans to leave when you are sick as the world looks a little dark when you have a bad stomach. It was some of the best advice I ever received. Once you're well again you feel ready to tackle India again! Carry some imodium and antiobiotics to treat your condition, rest, drink water and hopefully in a few days you'll feel better and able to enjoy yourself again. A good soothing option for any unsettled stomachs is curd/dahi (yoghurt). Happy travels. [post_title] => Eating 101 in India - 6 tips for avoiding belly gripes [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => eating-101-in-india-6-tips-for-avoiding-belly-gripes [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2013-01-07 05:42:06 [post_modified_gmt] => 2013-01-07 05:42:06 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://www.travelwireasia.com/?p=20979 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )