Lots of travellers get diarrhoea from eating or drinking something contaminated. You can also get diseases like cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A from contaminated food and water. You can reduce the risk by taking these simple precautions:

• always wash your hands after going to the toilet and before handling food or eating. 
• if you're not sure whether the water is safe, sterilise it by boiling it or using purification tablets, or use bottled water (preferably fizzy) instead.
• always use clean water for washing food and cleaning your teeth as well as drinking.
• avoid ice unless you're sure it's made from treated, chlorinated water. This includes ice used to keep food cool as well as ice in drinks. 
• make sure food has been freshly and thoroughly cooked and is still piping hot and avoid food that has been kept warm. 
• avoid uncooked food, unless you can peel or shell it yourself. 
• avoid food that is likely to have been exposed to flies. 
• avoid ice cream from unreliable sources, such as kiosks or street traders. 
• avoid  or boil  unpasteurised milk.

In addition, fish and shellfish can be suspect in some countries. Uncooked shellfish, such as oysters, are especially risky.

While you're on holiday, try to eat a healthy balanced diet. A healthy diet contains lots of fruit and vegetables; is based on starchy foods such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice; and is low in fat (especially saturated fat), salt and sugar.