Health Tips: With the arrival of summer, it becomes crucial to be cautious about what you eat. Rising temperatures cause many food items to spoil quickly; yet, driven by taste cravings, people often cannot resist consuming street food sold in markets or by roadside vendors. However, these foods—often prepared in open environments—can pose a significant health risk during the summer season.
Exposure to dust, dirt, contaminated water, and intense sunlight allows bacteria to multiply rapidly in these foods, potentially leading to issues like food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and dehydration. Children, the elderly, and individuals with weak immune systems need to be especially careful regarding these foods.
If you want to avoid falling ill or making trips to the hospital this summer, it is best to steer clear of certain street food items. Let’s look at five such food items that should be avoided during the summer months.
1. Golgappe and Panipuri
The water used in golgappas is often not clean. Water left uncovered for long periods in the summer heat can become contaminated with bacteria and germs. Consuming this can lead to problems such as stomach infections, diarrhea, vomiting, and indigestion. To stay safe, try to use only homemade or packaged water.
2. Uncovered Chaat and Tikki
Street foods like chaat, aloo tikki, and dahi bhalla are often left uncovered for hours. In the scorching heat, they spoil quickly, and bacteria breed rapidly. Such foods carry a risk of stomach infections and food poisoning. It is better to prepare fresh chaat at home or consume it only from trusted establishments.
3. Pre-cut Fruits
Pre-cut fruits sold openly in the market are exposed to dust, flies, and other germs. They also spoil quickly in the summer heat. Consuming them increases the risk of stomach infections and food poisoning. Always wash fruits thoroughly and ensure they are safe before eating them.
4. Roadside shakes and juices
In many places, the water and ice used to prepare juices and shakes are not clean. During summer, these can easily become contaminated, leading to issues like stomach infections, dehydration, and vomiting. It is safer to consume fresh lemonade, coconut water, or buttermilk prepared at home.
5. Unpackaged kulfi and ice cream
Roadside kulfi and ice cream are often not stored at the proper temperature. Repeated cycles of melting and refreezing can allow bacteria to breed. This can cause stomach upset, infections, and sometimes severe problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Always opt for packaged cold treats or those from a trusted source.
What to consume instead during summer?
Homemade lemonade
Fresh, washed fruits
Coconut water
Buttermilk and lassi
Fresh, homemade food
PC Social Media
-
'He'll go out to bat and return to the pavilion immediately' - R Ashwin's interesting take on KL Rahul after India's win vs Afghanistan
-
Tragic Accident at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Claims Lives of Eight Workers
-
By Ruskin Bond: A boy finds a purple stone that glows in the sunlight. But this is no ordinary stone
-
Historic Milestone Achieved in Zojila Tunnel Project
-
Period Hygiene Alert: 5 Common Mistakes Women Make During Periods That Can Harm Their Health
