There's nothing like vacations with friends or family. They can be fun and life-changing experiences. Booking accommodations is always an important part when traveling. You want to make sure that you have the best destination, flight, lodging, and food. Amidst all the planning, you happen to stumble upon a hotel deal that includes free breakfast. You are stoked because that can save money on at least one meal of the day. Plus, the free breakfast is a buffet, so it is all you can eat. What could be bad about all that? Unfortunately, this convenient amenity could turn into a nightmare.
There's nothing more inconvenient than being sick on vacation. Trust me! I once got food poisoning at a hotel in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Let's just say, my trip was not full of chocolate and fun. There are certain foods at breakfast buffets that are more susceptible to contamination, and substandard quality. The following are foods that you should avoid at breakfast buffets to reduce your chances of getting food-borne illness.
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The Worst Foods to Choose From the Buffet
Eggs
This is a bummer because eggs are the poster child for American breakfast. Unfortunately, the eggs cooked for buffets tend to be of horrible quality. Many hotels use powdered eggs as opposed to fresh eggs. This is a cheaper way to make large amounts of scrambled eggs to feed a lot of guests at once. Powdered eggs are not the same as fresh eggs. They tend to have a weird texture, taste, and even color. Another issue with eggs is the fact they are cooked ahead of time. This means that eggs could be sitting for a long time in dangerous temperatures. According to the FDA, eggs should be served immediately after cooking to avoid food-borne illness. You may not have any idea how long the eggs have been sitting. It is wise to see who is making the eggs, therefore, omelet stations are usually the best choice.
Meats
Ever heard the saying, "Everyone loves bacon?" I am more of a sausage guy, but I digress. Breakfast meats prepared for buffets can be very unsanitary. Not only can the meat be held at dangerous temperatures, but the quality is also just bad. They are usually dry, unseasoned, and dull.
Melon
A bowl of fruit is always a healthy start to the day. However, fruit that hasn't been handled properly, like pre-cut melon, can be risky to eat. Cantaloupe specifically, can carry salmonella.
Quiche
This is similar to the egg problem (since quiche is essentially eggs with a crust). It can cause some GI issues if not handled correctly. Also, quiches at buffets may be dry, un-flavorful, and have seen better days.
Waffles
The best part of any breakfast buffet is the waffle station. The idea of pouring your own batter in a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it, waiting for that green light to signify it's done, and adding toppings is magical. I hate to bring bad news, but the waffle station should be avoided. According to TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, that waffle batter is usually old and sour. Instead of throwing it out, new batter is added to the old. Yikes!
Best Bets From the Buffet
Picking pre-packaged items is your best bet. This includes single-serving yogurt, pudding, and fruit cups. Just make sure to check the expiration date. Oh yes, I have run into expired yogurt cups before. Honestly, if it's an option, I would skip the breakfast buffet entirely. You don't want to risk it.
I've spent years diving into the intricacies of travel, hospitality, and food safety, amalgamating personal experiences with extensive research. Booking accommodations involves a complex evaluation of preferences and amenities, and I've navigated through various hotel deals, considering the nuances of added benefits like free breakfast offers.
The article touches on crucial aspects of travel planning: accommodations, flights, dining, and the unexpected pitfalls that might await at breakfast buffets. The risk of food-borne illnesses during vacations is real, supported by the FDA guidelines emphasizing the critical need to maintain proper food temperatures and serve items immediately after cooking.
Let's break down the concepts addressed:
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Accommodations: This encompasses the pivotal part of travel planning. Finding the right place involves considering factors like amenities, deals, and complimentary services, such as free breakfast.
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Food Safety: An integral yet often overlooked aspect, especially concerning buffet dining. The article delves into the risks associated with certain buffet items due to improper handling, temperature maintenance, and food quality.
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Breakfast Buffets: While they offer convenience, they also pose potential health risks. The piece outlines foods prone to contamination and advises on safer choices. It highlights the challenges of maintaining quality and safety in mass-produced buffet items like eggs, meats, fruits, quiches, and waffles.
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Food Choices: The article educates readers on what to avoid (such as eggs cooked in bulk using powdered alternatives, questionable meats, pre-cut melons, quiches, and waffles from stations with questionable batter) and suggests safer options like pre-packaged items (yogurt, pudding, and fruit cups) with a caution to check expiration dates.
The narrative warns against the hazards of consuming certain buffet items and emphasizes the importance of making informed choices to mitigate health risks while traveling. Overall, it underscores the significance of being vigilant, especially when it comes to food safety during vacations.
