It is a peak summer time in India, and food poisoning during this period is common. Leading dietician for gastrointestinal health in Delhi, Avni Kaul, provides some insights on this topic of food poisoning during summer.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning encompasses most illnesses caused by consuming contaminated food. Common symptoms include nausea, fever, weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. While food poisoning can be uncomfortable, it is often not serious, and most people recover within a few days without requiring medical treatment.
What causes food poisoning?
Food poisoning occurs when we consume spoiled or contaminated food, leading to various symptoms. Contamination is a natural process often caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. These pathogens make food unsafe to eat and can cause food poisoning when ingested. Poor hygiene during food preparation is a common cause of food contamination.
Are you more prone to it in summer?
Yes, we are more likely to consume contaminated food in the summer. The hot and often humid weather creates an ideal environment for pathogens to infest our food. Additionally, the increase in body temperature can slow down our digestive system, making us more susceptible to foodborne illnesses during the summer months.
How can you prevent food poisoning in summer?
Unlike other common summer illnesses, food poisoning can be entirely avoided by taking some preventive steps. Here are some simple measures to help you stay safe:
- Clean and Sanitize – Thoroughly wash all your food before consuming it, including meats, vegetables, fruits, and other washable items. You can also use food-safe sanitisers specifically designed for this purpose.
- Store Leftovers in the Fridge – One of the main causes of food poisoning is eating spoiled food. Leaving food out for long periods allows pathogens to multiply. Storing leftovers in the refrigerator prevents these organisms from growing.
- Wash Hands When Preparing and Eating Food – Our hands can easily transfer pathogens to our bodies. Regularly washing your hands and avoiding touching your face can help prevent infections.
- Avoid Food from Unhygienic Places – While indulging in street food occasionally might be tempting, it can pose health risks. Eating from unhygienic places increases your chances of getting food poisoning. Opt for food from establishments that maintain high hygiene standards.
- Cook Food Thoroughly – Undercooked food, especially meat, can harbour harmful bacteria and viruses. Ensure that your food is cooked completely to avoid the risk of foodborne illnesses.
- Regularly Clean the Kitchen – Keeping your kitchen clean is crucial. Daily cleaning prevents food scraps and poor hygiene from attracting pathogens, thereby reducing the risk of contamination. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is key to keeping foodborne pathogens at bay. Follow these preventive steps consistently to ensure a safe and healthy summer.
Author Avni Kaul is a qualified nutritionist, experienced dietician, Diabetes Educator and founder of Delhi’s successful diet and nutritionist clinic NutriActivania. She is also one of India’s eminent weight-loss experts, diabetes dieticians, pregnancy dieticians and child nutritionists and helps kids to develop a strong immune system, fight allergies, gain height and weight as well as fight overweight / Obesity with an effective diet plan that is easy and fun to follow by children.
In Buenos Aires, 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games Nutritionist Avni Kaul was the Advisor (Nutrition) from India. She is a Gold-medallist master’s science graduate from the University of Delhi in the subject of Food and Nutrition. Avni Kaul is a diet and nutrition columnist in some of India's leading newspapers and magazines like - NDTV, TimesNow, Grazia and more.
Diet Programs by Avni Kaul
Your dietician consultation with dietician Avni Kaul will do the following things. Avni Kaul’s diet program will offer:Focus on your health benefits: Key benefits Avni offers, are long-term wellness, freedom from restrictive diets, and improved relationships with food and body, that include "intuitive eating," "weight loss without hard core dieting," and "healthy eating for pregnant woman and kids".
A high degree of qualifications, expertise, and achievements: Dietician Avni is one of the most sought-after dieticians in Delhi because of her qualifications that include gold medalist in Master's Degree of Science, B.Sc and M.Sc Food and Nutrition, Certified Diabetes Educator, Diploma in Applied Sports and Exercise Nutrition.
Fully personalized diet plans: With dietician Avni Kaul, you will get a tailor-made diet that suits your body and mind only that will help you to achieve your health goals in a holistic and sustainable manner be it is with your weight management, pregnancy diet, child nutrition, diabetes or thyroid management.
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