How to Avoid the Delhi belly
I first heard about the Delhi belly three months before we were about to travel to India. It’s not uncommon to have some stomach issues when traveling to new places, because you are introducing new food and new bacteria to your body. However, India is notorious for causing a severe form of traveler’s diarrhea, known as the “Delhi belly.” As I was researching our travels to India, almost all the blogger/influencers who had visited India got sick. Like down for the count sick, like stay near the bathroom sick, or potentially wear an adult diaper kind of sick.
Needless to say, I was a little nervous about going to India. However, after doing some in-depth research online and from multiple people who had previously been to India, we followed some strict rules and we thankfully did not get the “Delhi belly.”
Add Probiotics and Greens into your Routine
Even if you are not traveling to India, adding probiotics and greens to your diet can help immensely. Greens can give your body the additional nutrients it is probably not getting in your day to day diet. Probiotics help replenish the good bacteria in your gut, protects the lining of your gut, and helps breakdown and absorb nutrients. Adding this in to your routine at least two weeks prior to your travel will help greatly. Please keep in mind the quality of supplement, not all are created equal and if they are a lot cheaper check the labels they may be using unhealthy fillers.
*I do not get any kick back for this, I truly enjoy these greens and they are reasonably priced for the quality.
*When choosing your supplements, make sure they are third party tested for heavy metals and other harmful contaminants.
Get Bland Food at the Grocery Store
Indian food is so flavorful and spicy, very spicy. Unfortunately, spicy food can disrupt your stomach, leading to increased acid production of you stomach and irritating the esophagus. Also, curries are high in fat content, meaning the body will digest them slower, increasing stomach acid levels. Unless your body is familiar with eating this much spice and fat everyday you are probably going to experience some stomach discomfort.
To help avoid that, we went to the grocery store and bought a variety of bland crackers and on those days where we felt we ate a little too much spice we would subsidize with some bland crackers (other bland foods). Giving our poor Western stomachs a break. We heard yogurt works great as well.
Only Drink Bottled Water
Only drink bottled water, also brush your teeth with it, do not let the water from the shower get into your mouth, and if you are washing something, like your water bottle, make sure it dries completely. Amoebas can not survive without water and it will die after it is in a dried environment. Also, do not drink a beverage that has ice in it. More than likely the ice was made without purified water.
Be careful with what bottled water you buy. There is a brand in India, Bisleri, that people will make knock off brands that are not truly purified water. If it is a knock off brand it will be spelled incorrectly. We only saw it twice while in India, but just be aware it does happen.
Eat Vegetarian
We heard this trick from another traveler who stated she was the only one of her group not to get sick, because she did not eat meat while traveling in India. Your raw meat products are more likely to get contaminated than your vegetables. With that being said do not eat raw vegetables, make sure the bacteria has been cooked out. Use your discernment, if you are eating out and if seems like a reputable establishment, go for it and try some meat.
No Straws
While we were sitting at a restaurant, I noticed that the waiter took some plastic straws dipped them in some water (maybe had some bleach in it) and used them for the next customer. Come to find out this is not uncommon for places in India. Maybe if they were steel straws and went through some sanitizer, but they were normal plastic straws. Do not use straws while in India.
No Street Food
This one breaks my heart. I love street food. This is coming from a girl who ate some yummy street food in the middle of nowhere Togo. Unfortunately, street food tends to come with its own risk and in India it came with too big of a risk. We compromised and went on an official street food tour, guiding us to safe places to try street food.
Bring Pepto
I am not a big fan of taking medications, however, taking pepto before a meal you know will be spicy can save you a lot of discomfort.
Please do not let the idea of getting sick deter you from going. India is a vast country, with amazing people, food, and culture. Be a little more strict on what you’re putting in and add a few extra days into your travel as a buffer just in case things go south, and you will have a wonderful time.
I hope these guideline will help you stay healthy and safe on your travels. If there are some more recommendations you have let me know, always excited to learn more!
