While we all love fresh, delicious salads during the summer, there are some ingredients you should avoid at all costs if you’re prone to getting food poisoning or the runs. The number one culprit? Salads are made with iceberg lettuce and pre-packaged salad mixes.
These common ingredients are particularly likely to cause intestinal upset because they sit on the shelf for weeks before being eaten, allowing ample time for bacteria to grow on them-and in them. Here are six tips to keep your salad from giving you Diarrhea this summer.
What Causes Diarrhea from Salad?
There are a few different ways that you can get food poisoning from the salad. The most common is through contaminated water. If the water used to wash the vegetables is contaminated with bacteria, it can cause an infection. Another way is if the salad contains raw eggs or meat that has not been cooked properly. These can also contain bacteria that can cause an infection. Finally, if the salad dressing contains mayonnaise or other dairy products, these can also spoil and cause Diarrhea.
What to do at the time of Diarrhea?
If you experience Diarrhea after eating salad, it’s important to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, like water or clear broth, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. You can also take over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) to help slow your bowel movements. If your symptoms are severe or last more than a few days, see your doctor and obviously try to follow these tips-
1) Wash your hands
You should always wash your hands before handling food, but it’s especially important to do so when handling raw fruits and vegetables. Use warm water and soap, and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Rinse with cold water.
Avoid cross-contamination: Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot soapy water after using them to prepare raw meat or poultry. Make sure to use a clean dishcloth or sponge every time you handle uncooked meat or poultry to avoid spreading bacteria around the kitchen. Take care of any leftover food as soon as possible, too. When in doubt, throw it out.
2) Be careful where you buy your food
One of the best ways to avoid food poisoning is to be careful about where you buy your food. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable source and that the food is fresh. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and don’t eat it. If you can’t tell whether or not something has gone bad, throw it out and cook again. Be aware of any food with an unusual odor: When in doubt, throw it out.
3) Don’t take antibiotics unless necessary
Antibiotics are important medications that can save lives, but they also come with risks. One of the most common side effects of antibiotics is Diarrhea. When you take antibiotics, the good bacteria in your gut are killed along with the bad bacteria. This can lead to an imbalance of bacteria and cause Diarrhea. You can avoid this by only taking antibiotics when necessary and by eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or sauerkraut.
Read: Henton’s Potato Salad Gallon
4) Check the temperature of your refrigerator
One of the main causes of food poisoning is eating food that has been contaminated by bacteria. Bacteria thrive in warm temperatures, so it’s important to keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below to prevent them from growing. Here are a few other tips to avoid food poisoning this summer:
-Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food.
-Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
-Cook meat, poultry, and seafood thoroughly.
-Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from other foods.
-Don’t leave food out in the sun for more than two hours.
-Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.
5) Do not buy moldy fruits and vegetables
When you’re at the grocery store, take a close look at the produce before tossing it in your cart. If you see any mold, don’t buy it. Moldy fruits and vegetables can cause Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It’s also important to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water; this will kill most bacteria. You should also avoid eating raw eggs or raw meats that are not cooked properly because they could contain Salmonella, which causes food poisoning. Finally, always wash your hands after preparing foods so that you don’t contaminate other foods with harmful bacteria or germs from your hands.
6) Get a fridge thermometer
A fridge thermometer is one of the most important tools in your food safety arsenal. It helps you ensure that your fridge is keeping food cold enough to prevent bacteria from growing. Here are a few tips for using a fridge thermometer
- Clean the thermometer before and after each use with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or chlorine bleach.
- Keep it at least 3 inches away from other foods, so it doesn’t get contaminated.
- If it beeps and/or flashes C, then your fridge is too warm and needs to be turned down (especially if you’re going on vacation).
- Check the temperature before putting hot foods in the fridge because this can raise its temperature too high.
Conclusion
- Don’t let food poisoning ruin your summer fun. Be sure to take some simple precautions when handling and eating food.
- First, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before handling food.
- Next, make sure all of your fruits and vegetables are washed properly. If you’re not sure how to wash them, check out this guide from the CDC.
- Another important tip is to cook all of your food properly. This means making sure meat is cooked all the way through and avoiding cross-contamination by keeping raw meat separate from other foods.
- Additionally, it’s important to keep your kitchen clean by washing surfaces, utensils, and dishes often.