The Two Golden Secrets to Avoiding Food Poisoning
Know the warning signs, master food hygiene and safety, and stay one step ahead.
Hey there!
In our last letter, we talked about why it’s so important to be extra careful with leftovers and canned foods, whether homemade or store-bought. Remember botulism, that rare but life-threatening illness we discussed?
Good!
We’re so glad you’re learning something new with us.
In case you missed it, you can catch up here. 👇🏻
As promised, today’s letter dives deeper into food poisoning: the common signs and symptoms, how to avoid it, and what to do if it happens.
Let’s dive in!
Food poisoning happens when you eat something unsafe or contaminated. Food can become unsafe if it is:
1. Poorly cooked
2. Prepared unhygienically
3. Improperly stored
4. Improperly packaged
Food poisoning, while often mild, can be gruesome and draining. Imagine spending twenty-three hours a day in the loo and the last hour throwing up till you're completely sapped of strength.
You don't want that. We don't want that for you either.
The common signs and symptoms of food poisoning are;
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Fever
- Weakness and tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Dehydration
Severe symptoms that need urgent medical attention:
- Bloody diarrhea
- High fever (above 101.5°F or 38.6°C)
- Inability to keep fluids down
- Severe dehydration (such as very dry mouth, little or no urination, dizziness, or dark-colored urine)
- Neurological symptoms (such as blurry vision, muscle weakness, or tingling sensations)
At Everyday Health, one of our biggest goals is to make you as health-conscious as you need to be; not just to survive, but to thrive.
The two keys to avoiding food poisoning are:
1. Food hygiene
2. Food safety
Food Hygiene covers every step from sourcing and cleaning to preparing and eating food. Some important tips:
- Buy your food items from clean, reputable stores.
- Wash food items thoroughly, especially meats, fruits, and vegetables.
- Keep your cooking area clean; no dirty utensils, leftovers, or overflowing bins.
- Wash your hands before preparing or eating food.
- Eat with clean utensils; Don’t just grab a plate from the countertop or reuse one you just emptied of food from hours ago without washing it.
If you can, rinse clean plates again before use.
- Avoid eating out too often, especially in places where you're unsure about their hygiene standards.
If you do eat out, choose clean, reputable restaurants and food vendors. Be picky for your own health.
Food Safety protects you from contamination caused by poor food quality.
- Check for rot or decay when buying fresh items.
- Inspect packages carefully. Avoid broken seals, swollen containers, or expired products.
- Cook meats thoroughly. (If you love rare or medium-rare steak... proceed with caution.)
- Store leftovers properly and refrigerate them promptly.
- Reheat leftovers until piping hot, not just warm.
- If food looks or smells suspicious, throw it out.
- Keep raw meats separate from ready-to-eat foods when shopping and storing.
- Use different chopping boards for meats and for fruits or vegetables.
Now that you know the common signs and symptoms and how to avoid them, our next letter will guide you on exactly what to do if you or someone close to you gets food poisoning.
Stay tuned!
Love,
The Everyday Health Team.
Thanks for sharing