Eat well.stay safe

Stop food poisoning or an upset stomach from spoiling your summer break

Enjoying the delicious food and drink on offer is one of the best parts of a holiday – the diet can wait, right? But going away comes with risks too, because breaks can so easily be marred by a poorly stomach. Overindulging, new foods and spices, plus buffets in warmer climes, can spell disaster for your digestion. Fortunately, there are ways to dodge a traveller’s tum. ‘To help avoid food poisoning while on holiday, it’s important to pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness,’ says GP Dr Krishnaraj Sivarajan from Spire Healthcare. A little care can go a long way wherever you visit, and that includes the UK. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you go...

TAKE PROBIOTICS 

‘Studies suggest that taking probiotics may reduce the severity of food poisoning,’ says Dr Sivarajan. ‘Probiotics may also help you recover from food poisoning by restoring the balance of bacteria that live in your gut.’ Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are thought to help the digestive system, according to Harvard Medical School. Try Bio-Kult Everyday, £10.49 for 30 capsules, Holland & Barrett.

REVIEW YOUR DIET

Many people are sensitive to foods from the nightshade family, says women’s alternative health expert Claire Snowdon-Darling (balancedwellness. co.uk). ‘These include potatoes, peppers (including chilli and cayenne), tomatoes, aubergines, paprika and curry spices that contain substances called glycoalkaloids, which can lead to in ammation and aggravate IBS.’ If you get stomach pains after eating these foods, think about having a break from them.