The Cast Iron Stomach Myth: Why Hygiene Matters on Holiday
Are you one of those people who say, “I’m never ill!” Maybe you’re lucky—or maybe you’re unknowingly doing the right things to avoid infection.
Let me tell you a story that might make you rethink your travel habits.
🎥 A Trip to the Carribean… and a Volcano
Years ago, I joined a film crew on a trip to a Caribbean island. Everyone I knew who’d been to this island had been ill, including a friend who ended up on a drip during her honeymoon. So I was cautious.
We were investigating a 3-star hotel that had received complaints from tourists. It looked stunning. The crew had already scoped it out and challenged me:
“There’s nothing wrong here!”
They were wrong.
🚫 The Cast Iron Stomach Mentality
I warned the crew:
- Only eat bananas, oranges, and packaged foods.
- Drink only sealed bottled water.
But they were young and confident.
“We’ve got cast iron stomachs,” they said.
And munched into the buffet.
The next day, a volcano erupted in Iceland, grounding flights. My son was stuck there on a school trip—and so were we stuck in the Caribbean. The food and water samples I’d collected were frozen and meant to be sent home, but with travel delays looming, we sent them to a local lab.
💥 Explosive Results—Literally
While I made my way back via New York, the crew had a rough journey via Madrid and then by bus. Unfortunately, the volcano wasn’t the only thing erupting. Diarrhoea and vomiting hit hard.
From my hotel room in New York, I received the lab results. I had never seen anything like it—dangerous bacteria in just one small bag full of buffet food.
🦠 What I Found (and You Should Watch Out For)
Here are just a few of the hygiene horrors I’ve encountered on trips:
- Bird poo on outdoor tables, chairs, and sun loungers (Salmonella, Campylobacter)
- Birds flying over buffets (droppings landing on food)
- Feathers coming out of bathroom taps (!)
- Food returning to the buffet multiple times
- Undercooked eggs (Salmonella risk)
- Unsafe water supplies
- Murky swimming pools and dirty hot tubs
🛡️ How to Stay Safe on Holiday
Here are my top tips to avoid illness while travelling:
- 💧 Drink only sealed bottled water
- 🥤 Avoid draft soft drinks (they’re often mixed with local water)
- 🧊 Skip the ice (same reason as above)
- 🍽️ Avoid buffets, especially if birds are flying around
- 🍳 Eat freshly cooked food
- 🥚 Avoid undercooked eggs (only UK eggs with the Lion mark are guaranteed safe)
- Don’t even think of getting in a pool if you can’t see the bottom!
- 🪥 Never brush your teeth using the bathroom tap and definitely don’t drink the water from there!
🧳 Final Thought
You don’t need a cast iron stomach—you need smart hygiene habits. Whether you’re on a beach or in a bustling city, a little caution can save you from a lot of discomfort.
So next time you travel, remember: it’s not just about where you go, but how you stay safe when you get there.
