Staying Healthy on Street Food

If you’re looking to get a taste of the native culture, ditch the hotel restaurant and try some of the local cuisine. Take some caution though, as roadside vendors might not be as sanitary as a restaurant. Follow these tips to avoid an upset stomach while enjoying your destination’s street food offerings.

Observe the Vendor

Does the cook have a clean stand? Is food sitting around attracting flies? Try to find a vendor that employs sanitary practices. See if the ingredients look fresh or if they’re starting to go bad.

Meat and Water

These two items are the biggest contributors to food-related illnesses. Meat can be hotbeds for bacteria, especially in warmer destinations like in East Asia where hygienic standards are more relaxed. Stick to fruit and vegetables, but even then the tap water used in preparation might not be clean either. The same is true for ice used in soft drinks and alcohol.

Serve it Hot

Since even fresh fruits and vegetables are just as unsafe as meat, the only way to be sure the food you’re about to eat is good is to make sure it is cooked thoroughly. Find a vendor that serves their food hot and to large crowds, signifying a high turnover rate that doesn’t let food sit around for a while.

Go Local

Finding local favorites will cut down on your risk. Seafood should be avoided inland as it increases the chance for contamination, while eating ceviche on the coast of South America can be a calculated risk.