Is There A Trick To Avoid Food Poisioning?

[JustGottaGoDisney]

So what are the chances I'll get food poisioning on my first WDW trip?

How do I know what places to avoid?


Help???? Really don't want to have to deal with this at all if possible.

 

[jcriket]

Mexico, I've heard the water is bad. haha J/k, I have been to Disney so many times......more than I can even count and I've never gotten sick. I've never really heard of this happending, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[THE HAT]

Mexico, I've heard the water is bad. haha J/k

 

[TiggerDaisy]

I am not an expert on food poisoning, but I have gotten very sick several times. Luckily, none of them were at WDW. I would advise you to stay away from mayonnaise or mayonnaise based products, such as chicken salad, unless of course you put the little packets of mayonnaise on yourself. Also, I would recommend carrying some Imodium or Pepto Bismal tablets with you in your purse, backpack, or fanny pack. Even though the parks have first aid station, I always keep medicine on hand just in case something happens. You will have access to it more quickly in case an emergency pops up. It is better to be safe than sorry.

So what are the chances I'll get food poisioning on my first WDW trip?

How do I know what places to avoid?


Help???? Really don't want to have to deal with this at all if possible.

 

[luvrodents]

I don't think there are any "tricks" to avoiding food poisoning at Disneyworld. Sometimes the foods that make you sick are the foods you would least expect to make you sick. I go to Disneyworld very often and I hardly ever get sick. I try to eat mainly healthy foods and not go overboard with the more indulgent foods. I want to feel healthy and energetic when I'm enjoying all the attractions. That said, even after choosing foods I believed would not make me sick, I have, on rare occasion, gotten sick. For example, I once ate a bowl of minestrone/vegetarian soup and began vomiting within an hour. Once all the soup was out of my system, I felt fine again. I eat vegetable soup at home and never get sick; there was just something not right with that soup on that day. Freakish things happen sometimes and it can't always be predicted or prevented. Chances are, you'll have a great time and never feel sick once.

 

[lyncruiser]

We try to stick to places that seem busy and therefore would likely have a faster turnover of food. We also are fairly confident about sanitary conditions at WDW restaurants. This didn't stop me from getting the worst case of food poisoning I've ever had on one of our Disney trips, however. The best thing you can do is get a prescription from your doctor for Compazine, fill it and take it with you when you travel. It's the best way to quell nausea -- much better than pepto bismal and other over the counter remedies.

 

[bytheblood]

Don't eat!

I agree with the above, stay away from mayo and mayo products. Also, look at your chiken real good before you eat it for color and make sure it come to you hot.

 

[Forever42]

Actually, mayo isn't the culprit when eating mayonnaise based foods - it's what else is in the food. With potatoes, for example in potato salad, they carry Bacillus cereus from the soil, and that is what gives food poisioning from potato salad, if one gets it.

There's a very, very small chance you'll actually get food poisioniong anywhere. Actual food poisioning takes in most cases, 2-3 days for an onset. There is food intoxication, which comes from Staph aureus, which has an onset of 4-6 hours. This comes from improper handling (Staph from skin), and then improper storage. I'm fairly succeptible to Staph aureus and I've never gotten it from Disney.

I hope this helps a bit. Sometimes people will eat too much and then overexert themselves and call it food poisioning because they felt sick.

 

[spaceacewannabe]

Buy bottled water---water changes can make you sick ANYWHERE you go, plus the water in Orlando stinks to high heaven. Not that there's actually anything really wrong with the water, but any change in habits can mess with your stomach. I think it's more often the change in routine that causes issues, and not any particular food at WDW. Also, depending on what you're accustomed to, the lentils in the Morrocan pavillion at Epcot (Tangerine Cafe)...if you get the veg. platter...especially if you get it multiple times...the lentils can cause issues, but definitely not food poisoning! I should mention that we LOVE Tangerine Cafe---food is great and I think they are some of the most meticulous, careful cast members around and your odds of actual food poisoning are extremely slim there...but it's definitely possible to overdo because it's yummy ;-)

 

[mitros]

Amazingly, you can get sick not necessarily from the food itself, but from licking your fingers while eating, after walking around the parks all day, touching railings, door handles,etc., and not washing your hands before eating. We find the best way to avoid problems is to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you, and just before eating, clean your hands at the table. Better safe then sorry.

 

[Belle5]

Actually, mayo isn't the culprit when eating mayonnaise based foods - it's what else is in the food. With potatoes, for example in potato salad, they carry Bacillus cereus from the soil, and that is what gives food poisioning from potato salad, if one gets it.

There's a very, very small chance you'll actually get food poisioniong anywhere. Actual food poisioning takes in most cases, 2-3 days for an onset. There is food intoxication, which comes from Staph aureus, which has an onset of 4-6 hours. This comes from improper handling (Staph from skin), and then improper storage. I'm fairly succeptible to Staph aureus and I've never gotten it from Disney.

I hope this helps a bit. Sometimes people will eat too much and then overexert themselves and call it food poisioning because they felt sick.

This is exactly right! There are so many preservatives in mayo these days it's nearly impossible to have a problem from it! There are also so many old wives tales out there about what makes people sick. (My favorite is when a toddler comes to visit and they have the runs, vomiting and a high fever--it's "teething"!!!Or the adult that claims they were upset or nervous about something and they have the runs. Interestingly, I always seem to have a "nervous" stomach a day later ) The only thing with Forever42's statement that I would hesitate to go along with would be the overexertion part. Now, if you are talking dehydration on a very hot day--yep, I'll buy that. Also, motion sickness from something like Mission Space is another thing that can may you feel sick. I have to chuckle when someone claims they have eaten "so and so" and then feel sick --so "that" item must be the culprit. Most likely it was something eaten LONG before that--if, indeed, it is even a food borne illness! I do agree with thorough hand washing. We have seen far less illness during the vacations when we are vigilant about this!

 

[reeeoga]

According to "Good Eats" on FoodTV Mayo is a presevative. It keeps food from spoiling.

Tips:
Wash your hands.
Don't get overheated: this can mimic food poisoning.
Don't eat after the birds take part of your food. They never bath
Don't drink the water. The mineral content (sulphur) is what throws off your digestive track. It can kill the bactiria in your track and cause
Drink only beer, it acts as a preservative
If you don't drink beer: Drink only Milkshakes, but watch out for

Have fun.

 

[JustGottaGoDisney]

Thanks for your input! I feel better about eating out now!

 

[goofie4goofy]

Amazingly, you can get sick not necessarily from the food itself, but from licking your fingers while eating, after walking around the parks all day, touching railings, door handles,etc., and not washing your hands before eating. We find the best way to avoid problems is to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you, and just before eating, clean your hands at the table. Better safe then sorry.

This is true...wash your hands often...use lots of soap and hot water. Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands. This is where germs "get in". Do not ever put anything on the bathroom floor like purses or bags.

It is not mayo based foods that make you sick...it is how the food is handled. If the chef does not wash his hands after a poopy doops...well that's where e-coli comes in...so it's a big crap shoot...no pun intended

Also, never take immodium. This is from my Dr....if you do get an illness the bug needs to get out of your body...SO drink water and gatorade 50/50 keep hydrated and eat crackers, dry toast and plain soup until you feel better. The immodium will just keep the virus inside your intestines...not whre you want it. It usually lasts about 24 hours. When to seek help: when you are vomiting and have diarhrea (sp?) you run the risk of dehydration and low potassium levels. Go to the hospital if you you cannot keep anything down or in. They will give you a shot so you will stop vomiting so you can get liquids in. Pepto is always a good idea..it helps to settle your system, but will not plug up your system like immodium.

I know all these things because I have been there!

But you should be ok...In all my travels I have never gotten sick at WDW...my husband got FP from a restaurant in USO...I told him not to eat sushi but he just didn't want to listen.

Just don't eat anything undercooked , raw or anything containing raw eggs...you will be fine. And do as your mother says...wash your hands!

 

[Momof4girls]

I just wanted to say that everyone here is so educated. Sometimes you'll read a message board and the advice is just absurd!!

The posts here are right on the money!

I have gotten true food poisoning twice. Once it was at Applebees from a dessert - I was told it was likely staph and I won't go into that, but it was miserable.

The second time DH and I shared a Cobb salad in chicago at some restaurant in the mall (sustainable agriculture type place) and uuuugh - we were soooooo sick the next day. (That was the only thing that we both ate so we knew it was the culprit). It took a bit longer for me to get sick, since I only had a small amount, and he was sick FAR worse than I was. Pretty cut and dry.

So, now, when eating out I avoid the following:

no lunch meats, unless heated to steaming (listeria) same for hotdogs (we don't really eat either of those anyway, but just FYI)

never eat ground beef - uuugh.

Raw/undercooked food - eggs in particular! These are major culprits (scrambled that are undercooked or raw yolks). I always get egg beaters, which are pasteurized.

When I get a filet at Les Cellier, for example, I ask for it well done and butterflied - this opens it up all the way and makes sure it is cooked thoroughly (now, realistically, it is only when you poke through undercooked meat that you introduce bacteria - because it is a muscle, it is sterile) But, that's another Alton episode

I avoid real caesar salad dressing, for sure - and raw oysters, etc. Also, when I got sick at applebees the health department said that the main carriers of staph are in dairy items that are kept at room temperature - like creamy salad dressings that aren't cold, custards, etc.

However, I can attest to the fact that the maple creme brulee at Les Cellier was WOOONDERFUL and came perfectly chilled with a warm, crackly crust.

Oh - and I never eat salads out of my house anymore. It's WAY too easy for someone to be dealing with raw meats and then step over to make the salad. (which is what I'm sure happened with our salad). Plus, if the lettuce isn't washed properly it can harbor e-coli, and that's a whole other brain-liquifying disease you don't even want to go near!

But, good hygiene - making sure you wash your hands after you sit down for your meal and before you eat, avoiding their disgusting water like the plague (and no, brita bottles do not remove the things IN the water),

 

[goofie4goofy]

Keep yourself healthy at home...most kitchens are dirtier than any restaurant's just so you all know . You may think it's clean looking but..it is not.

What I do:

all poultry is handled in the sink, I never cut it on a cutting board or the counter.I dry it with papertowels. I then steralize the sink and knives with clorox clean up when done.

I use the spounge for dishes only and replace it every week. Paper towels are for everyting else. I never use the spounge for cleaning anything in the kitchen. I even use papertowels in the bathroom for hand drying..and we have our own bathing towels. Also when you clean your bathroom clean the thing that most people never think of...the toilet handle. It has to be the dirtiest thing in your house. Think of the last thing you do before washing your hands...and it's touched all the time.

We are coming up on cold and flu season...so do the best to protect yourself!

 

[jlb]

I got food poisining at the Plaza Restaurant... Ok here is the scenerio: 6 adults 3 Children, I am the only one who ordered a salad. 2 chx sandwiches eleimatated the chicken. So we decided it must have been the salad part.

What can I descibe but horrible!!!!!!!


Last night which means plane ride the next day...not happening, fortunatley plane overbooked, no seats...fine tell us what hotel and we are there....oops you want the hotel we have a seat for you NOW!!!!!


Great, the woman a head of mean complains the whole time because my child is talking...do I care yes and no answer suffice. I am a typical nice person on planes, but this one got me ( hey I am on 3 hrs of no puking...) her knee hit the seat.in front of us...

OK my daughter is 5, I feel like I am going to die from thowing up all night. She makes a comment. Maybe if she read this....My response "DO YOU REALLY THINK I CARE???" Which is actually what I said.

I teach middle school and she had 2 7th Graders with her. Who tried to be nice to me asking where I got a Roxy sweatshirt so small...but guess what,I have learned some people might be sick on a plane. Best part is to leave the alone.

I am in the middle seat, my husband did not want to get on the plane, but some how I convince him it will be better if I am sick at home.

Well the ongoing joke in our family this year is the only food I will eat is food that is fried and hot. I usually only eat healthy non-fried foods and well we saw what happend last year so it will be only cooked and heated food.

 

[Snowysmom]

I agree with avoiding salads. On my last trip to WDW both DH and I got food poisoning from field green salad. I also got a really bad case of food poisoning from a salad at Panera near home. I try to avoid eating salads out of the house.

 

[mitros]

I can't believe so many people have problems with salads. We eat tons of salads out, at WDW, and a lot of salad bars elsewhere as well. We always eat salads at Paneras, it's one of the best things they have there. I feel for you folks that have problems eating salads out.

 

[Blondie]

I never seem to have any problems with salads either, what does me in often is seafood, especially shrimp! I love it, but I rarely order it unless I'm close to home!

Hot food is supposed to be just that, piping hot. If it's served room temp, send it back!

Dairy products can also be the culprit for upset tummies, especially cheeses.

Most people when they go on vacation tend to splurge and eat large portions of rich foods thay might not normally have at home. This tends to also be the cause for digestive upsets.

Buy yourself a big box of Imodium just in case. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!