helpful info for what to expect in grocery stores please?
I have fallen into what some might consider a very bland and perhaps odd diet but it started from my health issues. I'm just wondering if I could get some advice on what I might find that in the average grocery store for instance:
Is yogurt ,specifically Greek yogurt, readily available refrigerated in most stores as we have in the United States?
Will most breads be fresh off of the shelves or packaged like we have in the States and is it possible to find low calorie bread, high fiber or low calorie foods of any kind?
Will I find things like vegetable wash that I understand is necessary in the grocery store or should I bring that with me?
As a single person, I rarely purchase meat from the grocery as it is mostly wasted but try to at least get fresh deli meat and having not seen a Dominican grocery store, do they have delis that prepare on request a shaved pound of ham or turkey etc
As I eat a tremendous amount of fruit, specifically melons and grapes, should I get those at the grocery store or the fruit truck that I understand comes by the condo unit?
Suggestions of anything I should not get fresh. I do not eat fish of any kind so that is not a worry.
Coffee, this is something I could never live without and there is a small typical automatic coffeemaker in the unit probably a Mr Coffee but here in the states and probably elsewhere the Keurig single cup brewers have Popped up everywhere especially in my kitchen and I don't know any other way of having coffee as one cup at a time brewing seems to be the freshest for me..if I bring a small Keurig unit with me, will I be able to find what is called the single K-Cups in a grocery store there or have the Keurig systems and K Cups not made their way to the Dominican聽 Republic yet?
as to the above, are fresh refrigerated non dairy creamers available and do they have refrigerated dairy sections.聽 How about things like artificial sweeteners?
I will assume the answer to this is no but if they have a frozen section, will I be able to find things like pre packaged Weight Watchers breakfast food or anything like that?
Lastly, I am adequately informed that I need to use bottled water for making ice, mixing powdered drinks or other things but if I was to order a drink from a restaurant or a bar and perhaps am not aware that it is made with water, or any part water, will they be using bottled water on the most part so that I can be sure to be free of any of the water borne illnesses or should I not take any chances. I am already on a prophylactic antibiotic 4 another issue and was lucky to find out that it is one that could be taken if I acquired one of the water borne illnesses from the non potable water. It is just wiser for me to avoid that altogether.
lastly again I would like to apologize if any of this is seen by anyone as being ignorant of what is a developing country and the access to things that as an American I take for granted... on the contrary, I am ready to find other ways and other foods or preparation of foods and I consider changing one's habits to that of another culture an enriching experience.
Thanks for any replies
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Yogurt - available in the big stores!
Whole grain bread both packaged and fresh - yes!!!!
Vegetable wash - white vinegar or a touch of bleach does the same thing. and much cheaper.
Yes to delis in main grocery stores!!!
Not sure on the single K cup refills. Get yourself a dominican Greka (not sure on spelling) one cup at a time on the stove.聽 AND IT IS AWESOME coffee here!!! It is like US 4 a pound and outstanding coffee.
Yes on refridgerated dairy sections, artificial sweeteners etc.
It is safe to drink water served in a restaurant or bar and the ice is safe.聽 Usually water is served in small bottles so you know it is good.聽 No one here wants to chance getting or giving bugs to clients. Be careful of cleaning ladies who may make coffee with tap water - NO NO NO. water from tap is only good if boiled 13 minutes -聽 use bottled water for coffee.
You are refreshing in the amount of questions you ask - well thought out, well articulated so no worries!!!!聽 Sorry for the delay in responding I was out of town.....

Bob K
Syringles
Have a good stay in Punta Cana and don't be affraid, you will love it if you have an open mind!
And Catsam if you are going to get into that, we will have to discuss rum etc! So let's not have that conversation. Everyone can access info on what is or is not good for us. And each can make their own choices.
One of the biggest things I am looking forward to when I come to the DR is green papaya!聽 I fell in love with green papaya salad when I was in Thailand and I am planning to eat a lot of it in the DR, since most of the ingredients should be available there.
The one thing I am not sure of is fish sauce!聽 Is it possible to find fish sauce in any of the stores in the Sosua Bay/Puerto Plata area?聽 I am guessing this is unlikely but figured it couldn't hurt to ask!聽 I can bring some if I can't find it there...
Also, I am assuming most nuts are scarce (or prohibitively expensive!) but how about peanuts?聽 I am assuming they are available and relatively cheap, but if they are as expensive as most nuts are (in my experience on tropical islands, that is!) I will bring them as well...
Thanks so much!聽
)Fish sauce is available in Plaryero, as well as la Sirena.
Where are you staying/moving to?
Bob K
I have never seen home grown almonds however.
Bob K
Bob, that's great news about the fish sauce! I am assuming the names you mentioned are stores? I am moving to Sosua Bay. I don't know exactly where... Bummer that peanuts are hard to find/expensive/not roasted correctly! I will bring some, as I am not a huge fan of cashews.
Planner, that's great news about the almonds! Almonds are one of my favorite nuts. Are they reasonably priced?
Super Poloa (sister store with same parent comapney as聽 la Serina) is also in sosua ane the main place where we do our grocrey shopping.
We have lived full time in the Sosua/Cabarete are now for over 9 yeas and not much we cannot find.
Bob K
Hate coffee with chickory way too bitter for my taste.
I agree with the meat purchases and never by local beef steaks.聽 Would be about the same as roasting an old shoe

Bob K
Bob K
Maybe things have changed as the last time I tried eating pizza at a "Hut" was probably 15 years ago.
BObK
However I am afraid that the pizza has not changed so much
Bob K
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