Foods Most Likely to Cause Food Poisoning
By Sara Butler
No one likes to get food poisoning -- it’s probably one of the most miserable experiences out there. There are certain foods that are more likely to cause food poisoning than others if they’re not prepared, cooked, or stored correctly. Here are some of the worst food poisoning offenders to keep on your radar.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning can be dangerous for young children, the elderly, people with chronic illness, and pregnant women. That’s why it’s important to handle food correctly and keep illness off your plate!
Food poisoning can cause a wide range of symptoms, but the most common are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
The most dangerous thing about food poisoning is becoming dehydrated, so make sure you try to stay hydrated if you do become sick. If the symptoms become severe, then see a medical professional.
Poultry
Eating undercooked or raw duck, turkey, or chicken puts you at a high risk for food poisoning. That’s because two types of bacteria known to cause food poisoning, Salmonella and Campylobacter, live on the feathers and in the guts of these birds. They can contaminate the meat during slaughter and survive up until cooked when high temperatures kill that. That’s why it’s very important to make sure you always cook your poultry to the minimum temperature standards.
Leafy Greens and Vegetables
Most people connect meat with food poisoning, but you can get it from vegetables too! Leafy greens often get contaminated with bacteria as they’re harvested and handled or can be contaminated by unclean water that leaches into the soil where they’re grown. Many outbreaks of food poisoning in the United States over the last 40 years can be traced to vegetables such as spinach, kale, cabbage, and lettuce.
Make sure you always wash your vegetables before eating them and don’t buy bags of leafy greens that have mushy, spoiled leaves in them. In fact, it may be smart to avoid pre-packaged salad mixes altogether.
Shellfish and Fish
Shellfish and fish can be a common source of food poisoning because of the toxins and histamines produced by bacteria on the fish if not stored properly. To reduce your risk of getting sick, buy seafood from the store and keep it chilled before you serve it.
Be careful with your food and be smart -- hopefully, you can avoid food poisoning!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lake Forest, Calif.