Food poisoning is caused by eating food contaminated with fungi or bacteria, or even drinking contaminated water. In some cases this can be fatal.

Proper cleaning of food before consumption can prevent food poisoning – Photo: Higiclear

At the end of the year, the tradition of a large table can contribute to cases of poisoning, as we eat excessively, and sometimes eat foods other than what we eat every day. Besides all this, summer also brings high temperatures, which can affect the quality of food.

To avoid this problem, nutritionists Thaïs Cavalcante and Lysandra Kraus have put together 10 tips on how to combat, avoid and even work around potential unwanted food poisoning during the holiday season.

10 tips to avoid food poisoning

1) Personal hygiene: If you or a member of your family are sick or have any gastrointestinal symptoms, it is recommended not to touch food to prevent the transmission of bacteria and microorganisms.

2) Pay attention to expiration dates: Foods that have expired or are nearing the end of their use-by date are usually more vulnerable to bacteria, so it is recommended not to cook them to avoid risks.

3) Pay attention to dairy products: Choose pasteurized dairy products to reduce the risk of contamination from bacteria such as salmonella.

4) Be careful with fruits: Fruits are also the main cause of food poisoning due to contamination, as in the heat there is a large proliferation of fungi and bacteria.

5) Sufficient cooling: Store perishable foods in the refrigerator at a safe temperature (below 5°C) and do not leave ready-to-eat foods at room temperature for long periods of time.

6) Pay attention to the temperature: Always monitor the buffet to ensure that hot items are not exposed to temperatures below 60°C and cold items are not exposed to temperatures above 10°C.

7) Salads: When eating salads, always season them with salt and vinegar, as this will neutralize the possible pathological agent.

8) Cleaning products: properly peel fruits and vegetables (those that will be eaten raw);

9) Drink plenty of water: to avoid intoxication due to excessive consumption, it is necessary to drink plenty of fluids so that the kidneys and liver can eliminate possible excesses;

10) Avoid Cross Contamination: Use separate cutting boards for raw and cooked foods and clean utensils after each use. This prevents the transfer of bacteria between foods.

Food poisoning, what is it?

According to nutritionist Lysandra Kraus, there are two types of food poisoning: one due to excessive consumption of food or drinks, and the other due to consumption of drinks or food contaminated with some agent, which could be bacteria or fungi.

In both cases, drinking plenty of fluids is necessary to allow the kidneys and liver to eliminate any excess. However, in certain situations, the patient must be examined by a doctor to check whether the use of any medications is necessary.

Symptoms of poisoning

Lysandra also emphasized that symptoms usually begin with stomach discomfort (including diarrhea), headaches usually accompanied by thirst and a feeling of dry mouth.

Symptoms of food poisoning begin with stomach discomfort and headaches – Photo: Pixabay/Reproduction/ND

Treatment can be started at home, with plenty of fluids and a light diet (no fat, dairy products, sausages and especially red meat).

If diarrhea or vomiting persists for more than 24 hours, seek medical attention. The same applies to cases of fever.

Double care for children

To help babies, it is important to pay attention to details such as: hand hygiene, temperature and conservation of offered liquids such as water and juices.

Avoiding foods that are difficult to digest is another valuable tip to help avoid changes in your baby’s sleep patterns that can make digestion difficult.

At the first sign of diarrhea or vomiting, you should start taking homemade serum, because even if the child has to be taken to the clinic, he will not come in so weak.

“A homemade recipe that can help a lot is homemade whey, which can be used at any age and can be very helpful in preventing the poisoning from getting worse,” the nutritionist emphasizes.

Income: a glass of filtered or boiled water, 1 level teaspoon of salt and 1 level tablespoon of sugar. Offer a tablespoon of whey every hour with water.

If symptoms persist, it is recommended to seek medical help.