Avoid getting sick from street food this Sinulog
Sinulog time usually means spending a lot of time in the streets. The different activities take people to the different streets of the city. Traffic is also really a problem during the days leading up to the fiesta celebration, thus, people usually just walk to their destinations.
Sinulog is also a time that street food becomes all the more popular, what with most people spending time on the streets!
Street foods, however, have a reputation of making some people sick, especially those who are not used to these kinds of food. And no one wants to get sick this Sinulog 2017, right?
Mark Wiens of gobackpacking.com shares some ways to avoid getting sick from street food. If you plan to spend the next couple of days in the streets of Cebu City for the different Sinulog activities, you better take note of these.
Water. This is probably the single biggest factor when it comes to getting diarrhea or having stomach problems. There are a lot of people who have been the victim of water created diarrhea quite a few times. Always be cautious in drinking water without knowing where it came from. Also be careful when using ice or ice cubes as well as water mixed with fresh fruit juices. Always make sure that the water you drink is from a clean source.
Raw vegetables. Raw vegetables are often washed with bad water. Due to unsanitary water, eating raw vegetables can also be risky. If the condition of water is uncertain, best to avoid eating raw vegetables.
Eat fruits that have peels. Some fruits like apples come ready to be eaten, other fruits like oranges and bananas come with outer layers that needs to be peeled off before being eaten. When in the streets during Sinulog, it is best to eat fruits that you have to peel.
Fresh and hot food. Most street food vendors cook a huge amount of food and then let it sit in the sun in a glass cabinet for the day. Food that sits can accumulate bacteria, especially if it sits in the hot sun for a long period of time. Food that will be cooked just before being served is a safer way to eat street foods. It would be best to always stick with freshly cooked hot food over food that sits.
Spicy food. An abundance of spice and chillies is something that could upset the stomach. It's not that the food has been contaminated, it's just that some people's stomach may not be accustomed to the mix of spices and the pungent blends of flavor.
Wash your hands. Washing hands before eating isn't just for personal sanitary comfort - it really does kill the germs and bacteria that have collected on the hands throughout the day. When you can, it is best to wash your hands with water and soap but be mindful of the water you use. If water and soap is not available, you can also use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizers to rid your hands of germs, or, you can also use wet tissues.
Sauces. Sauces are one of the enemies of people who have weak stomachs. The main reason is that sauces are usually prepared beforehand and are left for the entire day (or even days) at room temperature. This makes sauce the cause of many people's stomach disturbances.