Fresh Vegetables And Fruit, Safe To Eat In Mexico?

[Sabes44]

So, we just picked our menu and while sharing with a friend, she mentioned that it wasn't safe to eat lettuce in Mexico (our first course).  I know this was the case many years ago, but is that still true?  Now I am worried about the menu we selected and eating other fresh vegetables or fruit.  

 

Anyone else have any advice?

Thanks! 

We are at Excellence Riviera Maya Cancun 

[beckys98]

HI! We've been to Mexico a handful of times and I've always eaten lettuce and vegetables. I mean, by the end of the trip my stomach isn't quite right but I chalk that up to drinking every day, being in the sun, and just generally eating what I normally don't. I mean, one time I ate nachos and cheese every afternoon. Safe to say that is NOT my normal diet

 

That said, my fiance got EXTREMELY sick last time we went and the ONLY thing that he ate that I didn't was fruit. (I just don't eat a lot of fruit but he does.) I think the offender was some papaya. But we were also at a more "budget friendly" resort than were we normally stay.

 

Personally, I wouldn't change my menu because I don't think the risk is that high. But if you're worried (or think your guests will be really worried) and it is easy to swap it with something else then why not?

Edited March 4, 2015 by beckys98

[marinah84]

I've never had an issue with resort food.  I did get montezuma's revenge in cozumel, but that's because we ate at a restaurant on the caribbean side, and i ordered a pina colada (it was made with ice cubes).  So as long as it's on the resort, you should be good, especially at that resort!

[JenniferH114]

@@Sabes44 - We ate plenty of fresh fruit and veggies (salad, etc.) when we were in Cozumel a few months ago and had no issues. Most major resorts serve only filtered water as their "tap" water. People probably don't think about it, but a lot of these resorts serve guacamole regularly and that contains avocado (a fresh fruit) and fresh veggies (tomato, onion). I'm sure people probably eat that without even thinking about it. Same goes for any sort of fresh pico de gallo. Of course, anything can end up not sitting well with someone's stomach, but, as a whole, I think these resorts realize this is a major concern for them and they would lose a lot of business if they were getting people sick all the time. I think they take certain measures to try to limit these issues. I have also heard in addition to the area getting more filtration systems, many of the resorts at least have their own water filtration systems.

[Sabes44]

Thanks everyone!  I am just finalizing everything and having a few bumps in the road, so I am over thinking everything!  I appreciate the peace of mind. 

[acw271011]

The last time we were in Mexico we did a tour that went to a Mayan village, the ruins at Coba and a cenote. The guide we had was excellent! What he explained was that the water in Mexico isn't bad. It's what's in it that our system isn't used to. Mexican people are, and he said it's likely that if they were to come to Canada and drink the water it would upset them in the beginning too, largely because of the chemicals and filtration that our water goes through.

 

The thing is, you do have to be careful with the water, and that includes brushing teeth, which a lot of people forget about most resorts will provide bottled water anyway. Fruits and vegetables are washed in water so occasionally you might get an upset. Yes - a lot of the resorts are now doing their own systems, and a few of them are joining together with the cost and sharing systems. it gets harder when you get to the eco protected areas. Our guide told us that it's something that Mexico takes very seriously because they are so dependent on tourism. Having said that we've been to Mexico 5 times and never, ever had a problem at all. We went to Cuba once and were both as sick as dogs. Go figure.

 

I would advise if you have new travelers in your group that you recommend immodium, or its equivalent in case anyone does get an upset. There is also a vaccine that you can take - Dukoral - now available over the pharmacy counter here in Canada that will help prevent the travelers' upsets but you still need to use your noggin and watch what you do. Some people are definitely much more sensitive than others.

[Sabes44]

Thank you @@acw271011, I definitely have a more sensitive system than most, so I think I will avoid most fruits and vegetables the days leading up to the wedding.  Definitely don't want to be not feeling well on my wedding day!  I will also take immodium along just in case.  Usually I am a walking pharmacy on trips out of the country because I never know how my tummy will act.

[veryvalentine]

very good point about the guacamole.  Didn't even think about that.  I tend to not gravitate towards fruits on vacation, especially on vacation.  lol

 

I'm sure that your guests can make the decision for themselves.  I had to stop and think about whether I ate salads at resorts, and I def did at the a - la - cart restaurants.  None of the guests that we were at the destination wedding I attended got sick.

 

The only thing that really upset my stomach was the tequila (too much of it) and the beer (again, too much of it) he he.

[acw271011]

very good point about the guacamole.  Didn't even think about that.  I tend to not gravitate towards fruits on vacation, especially on vacation.  lol

 

I'm sure that your guests can make the decision for themselves.  I had to stop and think about whether I ate salads at resorts, and I def did at the a - la - cart restaurants.  None of the guests that we were at the destination wedding I attended got sick.

 

The only thing that really upset my stomach was the tequila (too much of it) and the beer (again, too much of it) he he.

 

Yeah that'll do it every time! lol

[calgarybride2015]

I've never had any issues in any country. That said sure my system doesn't work like back home (if you get my drift) but no diarrhea or vomiting.

 

I ate ALOT of lettuce in January and was fine. I was actually advised to be careful of too much fresh fruit.

 

Hahahah I was told to watch my piña colada intake as coconut milk is a natural laxative but I was fine. I guess my friends resort in DR called them 'puerto plata splatas' lmao

 

I also used bottled water for everything for washing.

 

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Edited March 5, 2015 by calgarybride2015