{"id":23796,"date":"2020-10-09T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=23796"},"modified":"2025-05-01T14:33:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:33:42","slug":"10-indian-dishes-never-eat-drink-travelling-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/10-indian-dishes-never-eat-drink-travelling-india\/","title":{"rendered":"10 things to never eat and drink in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

India is one of the world\u2019s greatest foodie destinations, with all kinds of amazing curries, soups, spices, sweet desserts and iconic Indian dishes. But before you dive into all that glorious food, there are a few rules that travellers should follow to avoid getting the dreaded \u2018Delhi Belly\u2019. From tap water to peeled fruits and meat, here are 10 things you should never eat or drink in India, along with some quick tips to avoid getting sick on your trip to India<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tap water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The first rule of travelling in India is to never drink tap water. Even if you see locals drinking tap water, don\u2019t follow their lead. Unsafe tap water contains harmful chemicals and E. coli bacteria that foreign stomachs cannot handle and will make you sick. It\u2019s best to only drink bottled water and you should always make sure the seal hasn\u2019t been broken before you drink it. You should also use bottled water to brush your teeth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This rule also goes for ice. No matter how hot it is, never have ice in your drink, even in reputable restaurants, as ice is often made from tap water. If you want to learn a useful local phrase, learn to say \u2018without ice\u2019. It\u2019s better to be safe than sorry! You should also avoid the fresh fruit juices sold on city streets around India, as most street vendors use tap water to make these. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Raw fruit and vegetables<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s not just the fruit juices that should be avoided, but the fruit too. Most fruits are likely unwashed and carrying bacteria, while other fruits are covered in pesticides and chemicals, like the wax on apples used to make them shine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to raw fruit and vegetables, the rule is to \u2018cook it, peel it or leave it\u2019. The heat from freshly cooked food should kill most bacteria, otherwise you should go for fruit that can be peeled like bananas – but always make sure the peel is fully intact before purchasing. Avoid fruits like pineapples or mangoes that have already been peeled, as they\u2019re a breeding ground for bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This goes for salads too. The raw vegetables are often carrying harmful bacteria and aren\u2019t thoroughly washed, which can all lead to E. coli infections and food poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT: <\/strong>13 of the spiciest Indian foods you have to try at least once<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Gol gappe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You\u2019ll likely see gol gappe (also known as puchkas or pani-puri) in street food stalls all over the country – but it\u2019s best to steer clear. They\u2019re deep-fried crispy breads with a hollow middle, filled with a stuffing containing flavoured water. Again, the issue is contaminated water, and unless you know for sure they were made with safe drinking water, give it a miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> <\/strong>9 reasons why you’ll fall in love with the culture in India<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Golas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These popular flavoured ice candies look very tempting on a hot summer\u2019s day – but you should always avoid them. They\u2019re often made with tap water, stored in unsanitary places, or made with unsafe food colouring and syrups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Meat from street vendors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Meat from street stalls and markets is a big no-no in India. It’s highly prone to bacteria and parasites that can lead to food poisoning and other severe illnesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not to worry, as India is a vegetarian utopia, home to the world\u2019s largest population of vegetarians. In fact, the state of Maharashtra has totally banned beef<\/a>, due to Hindu religious reasons. Because of their meat-free lifestyle, Indians have taken vegetarian cooking to a new, incredible level. With all kinds of tasty veggie Indian dishes, you’re sure to keep coming back for more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> From Rajasthan to Mumbai: An Introduction to India<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Cheese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We know you love cheese, but it\u2019s best to avoid it, especially ones sold loose. It\u2019s incredibly easy for the cheese to be contaminated with bacterias like staphylococcus aureus. The trouble with this bacteria is that it\u2019s difficult to see. It doesn\u2019t show any signs of spoilage, but it will definitely cause severe food poisoning. If you really want to try some cheese, go for paneer, an Indian cheese used in lots of delicious Indian dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED CONTENT:<\/strong> 10 Extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Bhut jolokia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This notorious little chilli pepper is infamous for being the hottest in the world. We do not suggest testing out your spice limits with it! Bhut jolokia is so intense, they\u2019ve been used to make tear gas by the Indian Army, so this is not something you want to mess with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Too much spicy food<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When it comes to Indian cuisine, most locals like it hot! You might want to try out the chilli flavours used in Indian dishes, but be sure to start slow and proceed with caution. Too much spicy food can act as a mild laxative, especially if you\u2019re not used to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hottest chillies to watch out for are red and green chillies. It\u2019s also a good idea to learn the local phrase for \u2018no chilli\u2019. And make sure you have plenty of antidotes on hand like bread, yoghurt and plain rice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Paan masala<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Paan masalas are marketed as mouth fresheners, but they\u2019re actually a toxic blend of tobacco, areca nut, slaked lime and other carcinogenic flavouring agents. They\u2019re very dangerous to consume, so avoid them at all costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actor Pierce Brosnan<\/a> was caught up in a controversy in 2018 when he appeared in an Indian ad for paan masala. He later apologised, saying he was deceived by the company, as he thought he was promoting a breath freshener and tooth whitener with all-natural ingredients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Room-temperature food<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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So you\u2019re at a buffet in India and you\u2019ve followed all the rules so far: No tap water or ice, no raw fruits or vegetables, and no fiery chillies! The final thing to watch out for is room-temperature food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should always avoid any buffets or restaurants that have had food sitting out for a long period of time, as this is a breeding ground for bacteria. Even something as innocent as rice could leave you in a lot of pain, so play it safe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips to avoid getting sick in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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