Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Published : November 9, 2017 3:34 PM IST
India and street foods go hand in hand. Go to Delhi and you cannot take your eyes away from those yummy mattar kulchas. Go to Mumbai and those vada pav and pani puri are there to tempt you all the time. While it is okay to get your hands on the street foods, there are a certain guidelines which will ensure that what you are indulging in does not give you any digestive issues. So the next time you take a stroll around the street food corner of the city remember these tips from nutritionist Priya Kathpal.
Stick to vegetarian options: Just think how long has the meat been sitting out before it got stuffed in your shawarma. It is probably been sitting out all day and has been exposed to a lot of microorganisms. So if you are a connoisseur of street food, it is best that you just stick to vegetarian options.
Be very particular about the hygiene: If you are going to a roadside shop, notice if they are using a dirty cutting knife and a chopping board. If they are using one, skip eating in that place. Just hop to a more hygienic place where they are using clean utensils and cutlery. Find the the calories in street foods of India.
Ditch the sauce: Just ditch the sauce in the samosas, momos and vada pavs as the sauce is made of nothing but tap water. The vendors also add a lot of water to make it last longer. Now since you know what goes into the sauce would you still get your hands on it?
Refrain from the street drinks: They certainly do not filter or boil the water before they serve it to you so it is always best to avoid any roadside drinks. The ice they add is also not an outcome of clean water. Just because the locals drink them, does not mean it is okay for you to let them pass your lips.
Go by the reviews: Always go by the reviews and stop by where the locals are. If there is a long queue in the street side shop, it only means that the vendor is good and preparing all the items fresh.
Pick grilled and roasted items: Grab anything that is grilled or roasted. The grilled corn with salt and lime is one of the best things you can eat from a local vendor. The pan roasted nuts are also as good. Your Chinese food is giving you these 6 health issues.
Wash fruits before eating: Again, it is a no-brainer that if you buy fresh fruit, you need to wash it before you bite on it. If the street side vendor is serving a fruit salad, be sure that the fruits are thoroughly washed and freshly cut.
Avoid the ice: It can also be a good idea to avoid ice when you pick indulgences from the street. For all you know the ice could be from tap water and may have been infested with microorganisms since it has been lying out for long.
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