Food Poisoning Causes: 5 Sure Ways to Fall Sick in the Rainy Season

Feeling sick to your stomach? There is probably one question hanging over your head as you are hanging over the edge of the toilet. Is it the pakodas you relished in rains from the street side vendor? Food poisoning – the term used to describe the gastrointestinal symptoms you experience after eating contaminated food – can be brutal. Symptoms of food poisoning vary depending on the offending bug but can include nausea, vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain or cramping. Food poisoning happens when you ingest a food-borne pathogen and it is most common during the rains.

1 Raw Vegetables

Bugs like norovirus or rotavirus are often found on raw produce during this season. Green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower are where the bacteria and viruses breed the most. So avoid eating these vegetables and even if you do, ensure that you wash them well with salt and hot water.

2 Street Foods

The next stomach-upsetting foods in line are the popular roadside chaats and golgappas. The water used may be contaminated with bacteria which can cause severe infection, especially during the monsoons. So why risk your health foods?

3 Cut Fruits

When it comes to fruits, stick to the ones which you can peel by yourself like bananas and oranges. Cut, sliced and unpeeled fruits like grapes and berries lead to maximum infection as they may have been cleaned with contaminated water. In case you wish to have fruits like berries, make sure you wash them well under clean water. Don't Refreeze Melted Ice Cream! It Could Lead to Food Poisoning, Warns Expert.

4 Notorious Bacteria in Faeces

Giardia is a parasite and the source is poop usually from the soil, food, or water that's been infected with human or animal feces. You can get Giardia through eating contaminated food – say, if your food handler didn’t wash his hands, or if your produce has been washed with contaminated water – swallowing contaminated water, or even direct contact with an infected person. Healthy Food Items For Monsoons: What to Include in Your Diet During Rainy Season in India.

5 Meat and Salad Dressings

Foods contaminated with Staphs include meat, salad dressings, and cream sauces. During monsoons, these foods have a higher chance of being contaminated. While you might think that Staph is usually a skin infection, it can get dangerous when it enters the body.

When food poisoning hits, try and consume as much liquid as you can to keep your body hydrated. You should also eat a bland diet – think bananas and rice are staples – and stay away from dairy and fatty foods.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 23, 2019 07:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).