If you have ever eaten food contaminated with toxins, bacteria, viruses, or waste, you may end up with food poisoning. It can feel as awful as the flu, with symptoms that mimic the common cold. Most of the time, food poisoning goes away with 24 hours, but more severe cases will require a visit to your gastroenterologist in LA. Let’s look at some foods likely to cause food poisoning.
Foods Likely to Cause Food Poisoning
It can be difficult to tell what kinds of foods will give you food poisoning before you eat them. Usually, there is an ingredient in them that has gone bad or become contaminated. But there are still a few things you can do to avoid this type of illness altogether. Take a look at the most common foods likely to cause food poisoning before you plan your next dinner outing.
Leafy Green Vegetables
While they are some of the healthiest foods on the planet, leafy greens can be a common cause of food poisoning depending on how they are prepared. Raw greens are easily contaminated with Salmonella or E. coli, which are both harmful bacteria strains that cause poisoning and death. This can come from dirty water, bad runoff, or tainted soil where the vegetables are grown.
Poultry
Everyone knows that it is dangerous to eat raw or undercooked chicken. But have you ever wondered why? Chicken in particular is dangerous to eat without it being fully cooked as there is a high chance of raw meat carrying the Salmonella bacteria strain. This bacteria is often found in the feathers and intestines of birds. In fact, studies have shown that up to 80% of raw meat is contaminated with Salmonella before it is cooked. Thankfully, the bacteria dies as soon as the cooking process begins.
Deli Meat
Meat must be carefully prepared from the slaughtering process to the moment it arrives at the grocery store. Unfortunately, some deli meats like ham, salami, and hot dogs tend to be poisoned with bacteria if they are not properly processed. Contaminated raw meat can easily spread to other meat, so it’s important that you always pick the cleanest and freshest meat from the market. When you bring it home, make sure to cook and store it properly to further prevent infection.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
If you eat food that has been contaminated with bacteria or waste, you will start to feel the effects right away. Food poisoning is a rapid onset condition that can leave as quickly as it arrives, but it is still important to keep track of the severity of your symptoms.
Common signs of food poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Stomach aches
- Intense stomach cramps
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or queasiness
In some cases, it can take a few hours for symptoms to appear. It is a good idea to always remember the last thing you ate in case you need to visit your doctor for a food poisoning emergency.
Get the Best Food Poisoning Care Today
Food poisoning is a scary experience, especially when you aren’t prepared for it. Any kind of food can become contaminated with waste or harmful bacteria when it isn’t safely processed. You should especially be on the lookout for poultry, deli meat, and raw leafy greens. To ensure that the food you prepare won’t make you sick, always cook it thoroughly.
Getting help for food poisoning is easier than ever. If your symptoms are starting to become severe, you shouldn’t suffer in silence. Get in touch with Dr. Tabib and schedule an appointment for personalized food poisoning treatment today. Symptoms may go away on their own, or they can get worse and cause debilitating medical issues. Take care of your gut and stay on top of your health with our treatment solutions ASAP!
