Singapore

Location: South East Asia

Climate Description:

Singapore lies just north of the Equator. Singapore's climate is warm and humid all year round with abundant rainfall. Average daily temperature is 28.5^oC and humidity is about 84%. The climate can be divided into two main seasons, the Northeast Monsoon (December to early March)and the Southwest Monsoon (June to September) season, separated by two relatively short inter-monsoon periods.

Is it likely that residents in this country will speak English?

English is the official language of Singapore.

What are the typical foods of the country?

Singapore is a multiracial society and is made up of mainly the Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians (mixed heritage usually of Caucasian descent). The types of foods used are common to all races but the style of cooking differs.

Rice is the staple. Other foods commonly eaten are noodles, bread, potatoes, fish, chicken, beef, green leafy vegetables and tropical fruits.

What is a typical daily intake and timing for each meal in this country?

Breakfast (6-8am)

Soupy noodles
Or Malay style fried noodles in spicy sauce
Or Thosai (Rice pancake) with Indian curry
Or Sandwiches

Lunch (12-2pm)

Rice with meat/chicken/tofu and vegetables
Or Noodles with fish/chicken in soup

Dinner (6-10pm)

Rice with meat/chicken/tofu and vegetables Soup
Or Pasta or Pizza

Dinner is the main meal.

What food items are readily available?

Breads and Cereals:

Rice: Short grain, long grain, basmati, brown
Breads: Multigrain, wholemeal, fruit and nut, white, high fibre white
Noodles: Hokkien, vermicelli, udon
Pasta: All types
Cereals: Oatmeal, cornflakes, weetbix, bran flakes, special k
Biscuits: Jacobs high fibre, marie, cream crackers, digestive biscuits, ryvitas

Fruit & Vegetables:

Fruits: Watermelon, honeydew, pawpaw, pineapple, grapes, pears, apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi, chiku, mango, cantaloupe
Vegetables: Spinach, kai lan, bok choy, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, corn, lettuce, egg plant, french beans,
Starchy vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca

Dairy products:

Milk: Low fat, full cream. (Flavours available: plain, chocolate, strawberry, banana) Brands: Dutch Lady, Daisy Hi-Lo, Marigold HL
Cheese: Low fat, Full fat. Sliced, hard and soft options such as Philadelphia cheese available. Brands: Kraft, Chesdale, Anlene
Yoghurt and yoghurt drinks: Low fat, full fat. Plain and fruitty options available. Brands: Danone, Ski, Marigold, Anlene
Ice cream: All types. Brands: Kings, Haagen Dazs, Andersens, Ben and Jerrys, New Zealand Dairy
Soy milk: Flavours available: plain, mango, green tea, barley. Reduced sugar varieties available Brands: Nutrisoy, Unicurd

Meat:

Beef, lamb, mutton, pork
Poultry: Chicken, duck, turkey slices
Fish

What are typical methods of preparation of foods in this country?

Stir-frys, soupy, fried foods, rich sauces (mostly with coconut milk), spicy, curried

Is food reasonably priced in this country? Which items are costly? Which items are cheap? What is the best (i.e. freshest/safest) and most economical way to purchase foods?

Food is reasonably priced. With S$6 (AUD$5), you can have 1 bowl of noodles/rice meal, a drink and a piece of fruit at a food court/hawker centre. Dairy foods are more costly.

Hawker centres and food courts are the quickest and most affordable, they are all over Singapore. Popular ones are Kopitiam, Food Junction, Newton Hawker Centre, Lau Pa Sat

Supermarkets: NTUC, Cold Storage*, Giant, Shop and Save, Carrefour* Jasons*, Market Place*

*denotes more western foods available

Are there any food safety concerns?

Foods sold in Singapore are generally safe. But with seafood such as cockles, mussels found at hawker centres, it is best to consume it fully cooked.

Tap water is safe for consumption without boiling. Bottled water is also readily available and reasonably priced.

All restaurants, cafes, hawker centres, food centres have hygiene standards and are certified with A-D grades (A being the best) that are visibly displayed to patrons. Safest to eat from places with C and above grades.

Can you see any likely issues/concerns regarding nutrition for athletes traveling to this country?

The foods tend to be oily so just ask for less oil especially at hawker centres or choose the soupy items. It is important to hydrate as the weather increases sweat loss.

For athletes who are not attuned to Asian food may find less options available at hawker centres and food courts, it is best they head to the supermarkets first to stock up.

Can you recommend any restaurants that prepare foods that are suitable for athletes?

Look for restaurants with the Healthier Choice Award, visit this website for the full list Healthy Choice Awards they offer healthier options on their menus and are more obliging to customers with special requests.

What are the customs requirements for this country regarding food? That is, what food items can athletes safely and legally bring into the country?

Other than meat, there are no restrictions for foods being brought into Singapore.

Travellers are allowed to bring in small quantities of meat for personal consumption, but this must be limited to 5 kg per person and come from a country approved by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (Australia is an approved country).

Beef, mutton, pork and poultry in any form cannot be brought in from Malaysia, Thailand, China, Indonesia and India.

What sports supplement foods are available in this country?

There are many GNC stores, Nature's Farm stores around.

Sports bars, Brands: Powerbar, Avant edge, Myoplex, Carbohydrate gels, Creatine monohydrate powders, Sports Drinks (Gatorade, Sportade, Powerade, 100 plus, H2O)