Food Poisoning Expert On The Five Foods You Should Avoid To Prevent Sickness | HuffPost Life

5 Foods To Avoid If You Don't Want Food Poisoning

Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK

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A top US lawyer and food poisoning expert has spilled the beans on the foods he steers clear of. And if you love nothing more than a rare and juicy steak, then you might want to look away now...

Bill Marler has been involved in most major foodborne illness outbreak lawsuits in the US over the past 20 years.

He says there are a few things that you should definitely avoid if you want to avoid being sick.

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Firstly, stay away from raw or uncooked eggs and, while you're at it, keep away from raw milk too. Some people think the term 'unpasteurised' means more nutrients. But, in actual fact, it just means more bacteria.

Raw shellfish such as oysters are also problematic. According to Marler they have caused more sickness in the past five years than they have in the last 20.

He blames this on rising water temperatures which produce more bacteria.

Thirdly - and this might upset a few people - Marler says he only eats red meat if it's well-done.

Pre-cut and pre-washed vegetables at the supermarket are also risky. In fact any meal you haven't prepared yourself could put you at risk of picking up a sickness bug.

Finally, avoid uncooked sprouts - such as bean, alfalfa, clover and radish sprouts - as these can harbour E. coli and salmonella.

Conversely, one thing that Marler says is safe to munch on is sushi. Who knew?

What You Need To Know About Food Poisoning

Take It Easy(01 of09)

Relax! If you’re suffering from food poisoning, you might be pretty miserable while it works its way through your body. The Mayo Clinic suggests drinking plenty of fluids — as much as you can handle in order to avoid dehydration. If you have trouble keeping liquid down, try consuming it in tiny quantities at a time or sucking on ice chips.
For food, stick to bland foods for easier digestion. If you are breastfeeding or using formula, continue to feed your child as you normally would.
For young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, oral rehydration fluids like Pedialyte may be helpful. Always talk to your doctor first.

When To Call The Professionals (02 of09)

Sometimes food poisoning can require medical attention. You should see a doctor if any of these symptoms are present: frequent vomiting with inability to keep liquids down; bloody vomit or stools; diarrhea lasting more than three days; extreme pain or severe abdominal cramping; an oral temperature higher than 38.6C/101.5F; signs of dehydration; neurological symptoms like blurry vision, muscle weakness, or tingling in the arms.

Prevent Dehydration(03 of09)

Dehydration is the most common serious complication of food poisoning, and is particularly likely if you are have frequent vomiting or diarrhea. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, little to no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
Dehydration is particularly serious for older adults, infants, and people with suppressed immune systems or chronic illnesses.

When You Need Treatment (04 of09)

Though most foodborne illnesses resolve themselves without treatment within 48 hours, there are some times when treatment is warranted. If you become dehydrated, you may need to be hospitalized and replenished with lost fluids with a solution given through IV. Some bacterial food poisoning, for example, can be treated with antibiotics. In particular, listeria is treated with IV antibiotics given in hospitals.

Who's At Risk?(05 of09)

Some people are at a higher risk of more serious illness from contaminated food. Our immune systems weaken as we age, which means that older adults can experience more serious consequences from foodborne illness. This is also true for infants and young children because their immune systems are not fully developed. People who have compromised immune systems due to conditions like HIV/AIDS or treatments like chemotherapy are also at risk.

Listeria(06 of09)

Listeria and E. coli are two foodborne contaminants that can be particularly serious. Listeria can be dangerous for a fetus, which makes it a particular concern for pregnant women. Listeria, for example, can infect a mother's placenta, the amniotic fluid, and the baby, notes Baby Center.

E. Coli(07 of09)

As well, there are some strains of E. coli that can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a kidney condition that can lead to kidney failure. The risk of this condition is the highest for children younger than five, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

How To Prevent It(08 of09)

There are steps you can take at home to prevent getting food poisoning in the first place. Wash your hands, utensils, and cooking surfaces often, with hot, soapy water, before and after handling food, the U.S. National Library of Medicine advises. Keep raw foods like poultry away from ready-to-eat foods like produce, and keep this in mind while shopping for, storing, and preparing food.

Practice Safe Cooking(09 of09)

Make sure your foods are cooked to a safe temperature: 71.1C for ground beef, 62.8C for steaks and roasts, 73.9C for poultry. The best way to make sure you’ve done this is with a food thermometer.
Put perishable food in the freezer or fridge within two hours or purchasing or preparing them, or within one hour if the room temperature is 32.2C or higher. Defrost food in the fridge, not on the counter.

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