{"id":28255,"date":"2018-07-22T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-07-21T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=28255&preview=true&preview_id=28255"},"modified":"2025-07-12T05:04:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:04:10","slug":"how-to-avoid-delhi-belly-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/how-to-avoid-delhi-belly-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"How to avoid Delhi Belly in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019re mid-walking tour, tangled in the markets of Delhi and disoriented by unfamiliar smells of spices and incense.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rahul, your local guide, is explaining something when your stomach lurches. Uh-oh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh hot sweat prickles at your hairline as your eyes dart around the space, frantically searching for a place of relief. Your panic heightens when you realise you\u2019ve got about T-minus 60 seconds before the place is gonna blow\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Taj
You DON’T want an upset stomach when taking in this view. Image by Mirae Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Ah yes. The all-too familiar story of our friend travellers\u2019 diarrhea and her spontaneous visits. In India<\/a>, she goes by \u2018Delhi Belly\u2019 and usually shows up at the least opportune time (think boarding a 13-hour overnight train from Delhi to Varanasi<\/a> or at the entrance to the Taj Mahal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, don\u2019t let the fear of getting sick stop you from travelling to certain destinations. Delhi Belly can be easily avoided if you\u2019re aware of the risks and take care of yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are my six tips to prevent ‘Delhi Belly’<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Make sure you wash your hands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keeping your hands clean is the Golden Rule of travelling. It\u2019s easy to remember to clean your hands before a meal as everyone in your tour will whip out their hand sanitiser at the table. Plus, there may not always be cutlery as Indians traditionally eat with their hands (something you should try, it\u2019s super fun!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more: After surviving cancer, my trip to India made me feel like me again<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But beware of times in between main meals. To keep Delhi Belly at bay avoid touching your face or anything that\u2019s going in your mouth until you\u2019ve cleaned your hands. Soap and water is best, because it removes dirt, but wet wipes are great when a sink isn\u2019t available. Follow up with hand sanitiser and you\u2019ll be fine. I\u2019d also suggest trimming your nails short and regularly removing dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Make that a soda, and hold the ice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ingesting Indian tap water is like shouting ‘DELHI BELLY COME AT ME!’ It\u2019s unsafe to drink, so stick to filtered water. Filter bottles and water purification tablets are great options for avoiding single-use plastic, just be sure to research the most effective products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have to buy plastic bottled water, check the seal is intact. Some vendors have been known to refill bottles with tap water before gluing the lid back on. Listen out for the cracking of the seal and let your leader know immediately if it\u2019s faulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re-sealing doesn\u2019t work for fizzy drinks, so soda water is a great choice for staying hydrated. Always skip the ice though \u2013 it\u2019s usually made from tap water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest travel offers, news and stories<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Danger in the bathroom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For me, it goes like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happily brushing teeth. Thinks about using filtered water to rinse mouth\/brush. Starts day dreaming. Turns tap on. Spits. Rinses mouth with tap water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I find this the easiest place to slip up because it is a habit, so be extra careful. This also applies to those who shower with their mouth open. Zip it kid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Local<\/a>
Local cuisine in Delhi, image by Samantha Reid.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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4. Hot and fresh<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Indian food is incredible and your local leader will point you towards the tastiest. Don\u2019t be scared to try new things. However, follow these do\u2019s and don\u2019ts to ensure the food stays IN your belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n