helpful info for what to expect in grocery stores please?

syringles · 2014-03-22T22:19:11+01:00

Hello all, I have nothing but good and exciting news pertaining to my pending May 1st arrival in Punta Cana. My condo owner has updated me with the name and phone number of the person meeting me at the airport and all my questions regarding water delivery etc have been answered so things could not be better... 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 Republic yet? as to the above, are fresh refrigerated non dairy creamers available and do they have refrigerated dairy sections. 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

Last activity 03 November 2015 by planner

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gypsy401Serial expat03 November 2015 01:58:45

#41

659

I know Planner. I just like to tweak noses now then. Actually, for my age I'm a rather imposing figure. All my hair, a BMI of 23 & regaining the strength that I had lost due to a scary illness, not endemic but physical.. Here to the return of ME. Will PM you with an update. My return to the land I love won't be as soon as I wished. Maybe 6 months. It will be a pleasure to harass you all in person. Be forewarned my friends, I'm coming back.

Bob KVIP Member03 November 2015 08:36:28

#42

7675

For warned is for armed. We look forward to it

Bob K

plannerDominican Republic Expert03 November 2015 10:18:35

#43

17082

Warned and waiting honey!!!! Looking forward to meeting you finally!

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