Parasites are all over in our world. You are actually a wonderful breeding ground for many different types of parasites. Have you ever wondered where they all come from? Come on, I shower every day; I try to clean my food thoroughly before eating or cooking. Yet, they are still there, everywhere. Some parasites are actually good for us, and help our body to function properly, while others can make us very sick or can even cause death. So how do we know what to watch out for and how to protect ourselves?

One way to keep the parasites at bay is to pay attention to the foods you are eating. Especially if it is being prepared for you, like at a restaurant or eating at a friend’s home. There are certain foods that will put you at higher risk for contracting a food born parasite so it’s good to know what to watch out for.

One food that tops the list for parasites is escargot. If you are like me, the thought alone of eating snails is enough to keep me away. There are those out there that enjoy the butter and garlic covered delectable. Snails are known for feeding on decaying animals and feces, so it is important if you are cooking this up to be sure the farm the snails were raised on has fed them only grains. Most farmers do this, but just to be on the safe side, I think I’ll skip that entrée.