## What to Avoid Eating When Traveling to Africa
Africa is a continent with a rich and diverse culinary tradition. However, there are certain foods that you should avoid eating when traveling to Africa. These foods can be dangerous to your health, and can ruin your trip.
Here are 10 foods to avoid eating when traveling to Africa:
1. Raw meat
Raw meat can be contaminated with bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause serious illness. This is especially true for meats that are not properly cooked, such as bushmeat. Bushmeat is meat from wild animals that is hunted and sold in markets. It is often not inspected or cooked properly, and can be a major source of disease.
2. Unpasteurized milk
Unpasteurized milk can contain bacteria that can cause serious illness. Pasteurization is a process that kills bacteria in milk, making it safe to drink. If you are traveling to Africa, be sure to drink only pasteurized milk.
3. Raw eggs
Raw eggs can contain bacteria that can cause salmonella. Salmonella is a type of food poisoning that can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you are traveling to Africa, be sure to cook eggs thoroughly before eating them.
4. Raw shellfish
Raw shellfish can contain bacteria and viruses that can cause food poisoning. Food poisoning can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you are traveling to Africa, be sure to cook shellfish thoroughly before eating it.
5. Street food
Street food can be a great way to experience the local cuisine. However, it is important to be careful when eating street food. Some street food vendors may not use clean water or utensils, and their food may be contaminated with bacteria. If you are going to eat street food, be sure to choose a vendor that looks clean and sanitary.
6. Exotic fruits
Some exotic fruits can be dangerous to eat. For example, the ackee fruit can be poisonous if it is not cooked properly. If you are not sure whether a fruit is safe to eat, it is best to avoid it.
7. Wild mushrooms
Wild mushrooms can be poisonous. If you are not sure whether a mushroom is safe to eat, it is best to avoid it.
8. Bushmeat
Bushmeat is meat from wild animals that is hunted and sold in markets. It is often not inspected or cooked properly, and can be a major source of disease. If you are traveling to Africa, avoid eating bushmeat.
9. Raw cassava
Raw cassava is poisonous. Cassava is a root vegetable that is a staple food in many parts of Africa. However, if it is not cooked properly, it can release cyanide, which can be fatal.
10. Unripe fruit
Unripe fruit can be dangerous to eat. It can contain bacteria and parasites that can cause illness. If you are traveling to Africa, be sure to eat only ripe fruit.
In addition to the foods listed above, there are a few other things to keep in mind when eating in Africa:
Be sure to wash your hands before eating.
Avoid eating food that has been sitting out for a long time.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
If you have any food allergies, be sure to let your travel companions know.
By following these tips, you can help to avoid getting sick when traveling to Africa.