How to Avoid Food Poisoning This Summer?

Summers are here and along with perks like refreshing drinks, juicy fruits, evening breeze, it
brings us upset stomachs, diarrhea which sometimes leads to food poisoning. We have always
lost a lot of water to the summer heat, thus it is imperative that we take every precaution to stay
hydrated at all times. Ultimately, this will enable us to avoid risks like food poisoning.

How does food poisoning occur?

Food poisoning is a term that implies a situation that occurs brought on by consuming
contaminated food or drinks. Typically, viruses like the norovirus or bacteria like E. coli and
Salmonella are to blame.
As per medical experts, contamination can occur at any point in the production process of your
food, including harvesting, processing, storing, shipping, or cooking. Cross-contamination, or
the spread of dangerous organisms from one surface to another, is also a frequent cause.

What are the major symptoms of food poisoning?

The most common signs of food poisoning are listed below-
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Diarrhea
● Tiredness and fatigue
● Abdominal pain
● Fever

Top 5 ways to avoid food poisoning this summer

1. Cook your food carefully
It’s crucial to always cook your food thoroughly before consuming. This is specifically for
preparing meat or seafood. When preparing meat, poultry, or fish, make sure the meat is cooked
properly at an ideal temperature before serving. By sticking a knife into the thickest section of
the meat and waiting to see if the fluids run clear. With this technique, you can also determine
whether the meat is cooked through.

2. Don’t overeat the leftover meals
This is a common practice in many households, people keep storing the food and then consume
it later. It should be done only once in a day, when you have carefully stored your meals in the
refrigerator. Summer heat tends to contaminate your meals when you store the leftovers, thus
making the leftovers unfit for consumption.

3. Ensure washing of vegetables, and fruits
Whenever you bring fruits or vegetables from the market, make sure you are washing them
properly to ensure no bacteria enters your digestive system. Rinse everything under running
water before chopping fruit and vegetables for your meals.

4. Wash your hands before eating
Always remember to wash your hands before eating anything. During summers, the intensity of
bacteria growth rises drastically. Try to wash your hands both before and after handling food.
You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands if you’re eating outside
without access to water or soap.

5. Take enough fluids
Intake of fluids during the summer season is very vital. The best fluid for your body is water and
you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. This will not only avoid food poisoning but
also help you stay hydrated.

Conclusion

The menace of food poisoning can be avoided by following the above tips during the summer,
so that you don’t suffer a chronic illness and have a great summer to enjoy. Additionally, it’s
crucial to avoid foods that appear or taste strange and to fully reheat leftovers while keeping in
mind the five pointers mentioned above.

How to Avoid Food Poisoning This Summer?