3 things to avoid when cooking

Prolonged hot weather not only causes fatigue but also increases the risk of food poisoning if food is prepared and stored incorrectly. Some seemingly harmless habits in the kitchen can also cause bacteria to multiply rapidly.

According to Master's degree holder and doctor Vo Thi To Hi, a nutrition specialist in Ho Chi Minh City, hot weather with temperatures ranging from 30-40 degrees Celsius is a "danger zone" for food safety, as many types of bacteria can double in just 20-30 minutes.

To protect your family's health during the hot season, Doctor Hi advises remembering the following "three don'ts".

Do not leave cooked food out for too long.

This is the most common mistake in the summer. Many families have a habit of cooking a large batch to eat all day, leaving food on the table for hours without refrigeration. However, in outdoor temperatures above 32-35 degrees Celsius, cooked food should only be left out for a maximum of about 1 hour. After this time, bacteria begin to multiply rapidly and can produce toxins that cause food poisoning.

In particular, protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, or foods with high water content are the most perishable.

When food shows signs of unusual odor, sliminess, discoloration, or taste, people should absolutely not hesitate to continue using it.

Food should not be cooked and left exposed to the air for too long. Photo: Thanh Loan

2. Avoid reheating food multiple times.

Many people think that simply boiling food again makes it safe. However, according to Dr. Hi, some toxins produced by bacteria are not completely destroyed even after thorough reheating.

Reheating food multiple times also reduces its nutritional value and increases the risk of bacterial contamination during storage.

Experts recommend dividing food into smaller portions before refrigerating to cool it down faster, and only reheating enough for each meal instead of reheating a whole pot multiple times.

3. Do not leave food exposed or uncovered.

In hot and humid weather, food left exposed is easily contaminated by bacteria from the environment, dust, or insects. Many cases of food poisoning occur simply because food is not properly covered when left outside or in the refrigerator. People should store food in airtight containers, cover it carefully, and refrigerate it soon after cooking.

Additionally, experts recommend prioritizing cooking just enough food and avoiding stockpiling large quantities throughout the day to reduce the risk of spoilage.

Dr. Hi also noted that in hot weather, food poisoning is easily "disguised" as familiar symptoms such as heatstroke or digestive disorders.

Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, or a mild fever. These are nonspecific symptoms, so many people tend to overlook them.

People should consider the possibility of food poisoning if they experience symptoms such as: frequent vomiting or diarrhea after eating; pronounced abdominal cramps; symptoms appearing within a few hours to 24 hours after a meal; and multiple people eating the same dish and exhibiting similar symptoms.

If vomiting and diarrhea persist, especially in young children, the elderly, or those with underlying health conditions, prompt medical attention is necessary to prevent dehydration and dangerous complications.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Air Conditioners on Hot Days Prolonged hot weather leads to air conditioners being used continuously in many homes and offices. However, using this device incorrectly can cause many health problems, from heatstroke and dehydration to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

A young man in Hanoi is in critical condition due to a mistake made during a hot day . He was hospitalized in critical condition and diagnosed with acute kidney failure because he worked in the hot sun but didn't drink enough water.

A few minutes in the sun can cause heatstroke; doctors point out only two things to do immediately . Heatstroke is a dangerous medical emergency commonly seen during intensely hot days. When body temperature rises above the tolerable limit, high temperatures can affect a range of vital organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/3-khong-khi-nau-an-ngay-nang-nong-de-tranh-ngo-doc-thuc-pham-2520170.html