Locals have local gut bacteria and immune systems tuned to the local strains of pathogens. It's no revelation that if you travel far enough, there's going to be some level of incompatibility here.

> Honestly I find this “I’m risking my safety unless it is a US chain” attitude both limiting and even a little ugly.

No idea where you got this from, but I guess you assumed that I'm American and have a specific set of beliefs you observed in other Americans.

To be clear I'm not American and I don't prefer US chains. If I went to Saudi Arabia I would probably go to Hungry Bunny - even if only due to nostalgia.

I think you are investing too heavily in the 'poisoning' term. It wouldn't be per se, but it wouldn't help you if the next day you would feel extremely not good.

If your digestive system tends to have you issues when given unexpected inputs, as is the case for a lot of people, then this is just what you do to stay comfortable while away from home.