Native cuisine, Turkish holiday?

Question

Hi, I'm going on holiday to Turkey in under 2 weeks and I am really looking forward to it. However, I have a really sensitive stomach and am therefore wondering about the native cuisine. I would of course like to eat Turkey dishes but I do not under any circumstances want to suffer for it. Can anybody recommend any dishes and some tips; preventative or cure?? I am also going to start activia and actimel to boost my good bacteria.

Cheers.

Answer 1

Take some over the counter medicines with you and relax!

If there is a holiday rep there explain your problem and ask their advice ie where do THEY eat.

Do all the usual precuations re drinking water, salad, ice etc.

Answer 2

The only problem you might have with Turkish cuisine would be if you eat nothing but goat meat, which can upset your stomach.

Since most Turkish food is accompanied by yoghurt, you don't need to take Actimel with you.

Stuffed vine leaves, peppers (dolmas) are good. Various kebabs (like Adana kebab), lahmacun (Turkish pizza, but not as much bread dough as an Italian pizza), börek (a bit like a Cornish pasty, but often filled with a cream cheese mixture).

Turkish cuisine is great and very varied. It's never made me sick - except for two weeks only eating goat meat)

Answer 3

Part of the joy in travelling is enjoying the tastes and smells of new destinations. Turkish cuisine is delicious, and there are plenty of options for delicate tums. Rice, and grilled meat, seafood and vegetables are all staples of the Turkish diet. Look for restaurants that are well-patroned with a high turnover rate where the food is likely to be fresh. Opt for cooked food that you know has recently come off the fire.  

Of course, your best line of defence against traveller's tummy is to frequently wash your hands and always before meals. You'll want to bring some hand sanitiser with you and use this when soap and water are not readily available.

Regarding drinking water, we've heard mixed reports. It sounds like you'll want to stick to bottled water and avoid ice. Similarly, some people swear off salad, while others happily munch on their greens with no problem. If you want to remain prudent, avoid salad and street food. That said, you might not want to miss out on mezze (small starter-size dishes) such as baba ghanoush (aubergine puree) or tabbouleh (a salad with bulgur wheat and parsley), usually served with fresh flat bread. (Yum, we're already getting hungry.)

Use your judgement. Pack your Lomotil. If you have a spot of suffering, make sure to keep hydrated. Often, drinking Coke can help get you back to form.