The Ottawa Citizen

May 17, 2008

While you can take precautions against food-borne illnesses in your own kitchen, that's much more difficult to do when you're traveling, says Ann Louise Gittleman, a U.S. nutrition expert whose book The Gut Flush Plan (Avery/Penguin) was published this month. "Contamination can lead to all sorts of digestive grief," says Gittleman. "That's not exactly a fun souvenir."

Here are her Top 5 tips for keeping your stomach safe on vacation:

1. Skip the salad bar: "They are usually just a colorful buffet of bacteria," says Gittleman.

2. Disinfect your hotel room: "Bacteria is lurking on TV remotes, minibar handles and even bathroom counters," says Gittleman. "There's no telling where previous occupants have been or whom or what they have also touched."

3. Dust your food: "Yes, we are talking about 'chardust' which can be sprinkled from activated charcoal caps onto any suspicious cuisine."

4. Pack the probiotics: "These beneficial bacteria will give pathogens the heave-ho even before they can get a foothold in your gut."

5. Spice up your meals for health: "Oregano, garlic, thyme, cayenne and turmeric are loaded with antioxidants that can outsmart many nasty bacteria -- even the superbugs in some cases."