If you’re heading overseas on vacation or business this summer or anytime, it’s a good idea to steer clear of certain foods and drinks to keep from getting sick.

One of the joys of traveling is eating things that you wouldn’t normally try. Make sure whatever you consume, exotic or otherwise, is safe.

You can check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see what you need to be wary of.

The result of eating or drinking the wrong thing isn’t pretty. Contaminated food or water can produce diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever and these are just some of the symptoms. Some illnesses can be serious and life-threatening. They include viral infections such as hepatitis A, bacteria, intestinal parasites and dysentery.

She said you can avoid problems by remembering that, It all starts with the water. You’ve probably heard the expression, “Don’t drink the water.” The CDC advises that you shouldn’t drink it unless you know your water has been very thoroughly boiled or it comes in a factory-sealed bottle. The reason that bottled water needs to be sealed is so you know that it actually came from the factory. Otherwise, the bottle might have been refilled with water from a questionable source.

If you’re thirsty, you can drink the bottled water, as long as it’s sealed when you get it. Brush your teeth with it, too. Don’t risk using tap water. Other safe beverages include name-brand drinks that come in sealed cans or bottles, such as carbonated mineral water and soft drinks and, if you don’t overdo it, beer or wine. If you know the water in your cup has been boiled well, coffee or tea should be fine. One thing to know about beverages you drink from cans or bottles: If the outside of the container is wet, wipe the surface dry, just in case the source of that moisture is untreated water.

Ice cubes should also be on your do-not-consume list and some solid food is also of concern.

No matter how tempting certain raw foods may look, they also might make you sick, either because the location where they were grown or caught was contaminated, or because water used to grow, wash or prepare them is unsafe.

Shellfish or meat that’s either raw or undercooked can cause illness. The CDC also urges you to avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, and un-pasteurized milk products, including cheese. Vegetables should be hot.

If you eat fresh fruit, insist on peeling the fruit yourself, to be sure the part you’ll eat wasn’t contaminated after peeling. And whatever you feel like eating, avoid buying it from street vendors. You don’t know where it’s been.