Your Best Self Blog

Food Poisoning: Stay Safe This Summer

BY: Fleur Michell

Summer’s supposed to be fun, right? Except when you have gut-churning food poisoning.

Your chances of food poisoning increase in summer because foodborne bacteria grows fastest in warm weather -- particularly between 32 C and 43 C -- and flourishes when it’s humid. And since people tend to cook and eat outdoors more often when it’s hot out (barbecues, picnics and camping anyone?), food poisoning is a real danger.

To prevent getting sick, Food Standards Australia New Zealand recommend these guidelines when eating and cooking outside:

• Clean your hands before handling food. Remember to bring wet wipes.
• Separate raw meat from ready-to-eat food.
• Barbecue meat well. For the sake of your stomach, forego medium-rare.
• Keep cold deli meats in an ice-packed esky. Same goes for the dips, potato or pasta salads too.
• Pack it up. When everyone’s had enough to eat, quickly pack stuff away so people won’t continue picking at the food that’s sitting in the sun.
• Stick to harmless items. If you can go without meats and salads, do so. Your best bets for a healthy outdoor event are fruits, veggies, hard cheese, crackers and carbonated beverages; they’re less susceptible to developing bacteria.

Natural Remedies for Food Poisoning
If you still end up getting food poisoning and the dreaded diarrhoea strikes, unfortunately, you’ll just have to ride it out. Never a pleasant affair! But try these natural remedies to speed up your recovery:

1. Make carrot soup.
   Boil 500 grams of carrots with a little salt then puree to make a soup. The carrots will replenish sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur and magnesium. The soup will prevent vomiting and coat your intestines to ward off inflammation and harmful intestinal bacteria.
2. Drink buttermilk three times a day.
   The acid will help fight germs and bacteria.
3. Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric with water.
   An intestinal antiseptic, turmeric will soothe your insides, leading to less gut pain.
4. Make a simple rice porridge.
   Starchy, soupy rice will coat and calm the stomach, plus it will help bind stools.

Ever had food poisoning? Talk about it below or connect with us @OralCareHealth (Australia & New Zealand)