Tips to Prevent Traveler's Diarrhea

We knew the water available to us in Alaska and Canada would be safe to drink.  We had no problems.  However, there are many countries in the world that do not have clean, safe tap water to drink. 
If you are traveling to a country where clean water isn’t available, what can you do to protect yourself from traveler’s diarrhea?  Avoid tap water for brushing your teeth and drinking.  (I found it helpful to hold bottled water in one hand while I was brushing my teeth.  By doing so, I could not automatically  turn on the faucet and rinse my toothbrush in unclean water.  That’s such a habit.)  Don’t use ice unless you know it’s made from purified water.  Check that the bottled water seal is intact (not refilled with questionable water.)  Look for “pasteurized” milk and dairy products including ice cream.  Pasteurized dairy products should be safe as it’s been heated to kill germs.  Avoid fresh salads with leafy vegetables.  Be suspicious of all fresh fruits and vegetables which you can’t peel.  Don’t eat raw or half-cooked (rare) meat and seafood.  Don’t buy food from street vendors.  More information can be found at Health Day.com, http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=665759