Serbia

Capital:

Belgrade

Location:

Eastern Europe (Balkan)

Climate Description:

Summer: 25-30°C, not humid. The air is quite dusty in the capital city, and so the only training I did was when the air was a little clearer @ ~4:30am!

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

Small amounts of English are spoken by locals. The younger and more educated individuals are more likely to be able to speak English.

What are the staple foods of the country?

Meat, meat, and more meat! Cheese is also a favourite.

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

Meal timings are comparable to those in Australia. Again, the European culture here sees people being out in the streets and restaurants till early hours of the morning - regardless of it being a week day, or weekend day!

What food items are readily available?

Breads and Cereals: Many bakeries are scattered around, and these sell your standard bakery items. Most savoury products will contain meat. Pastries are also plentiful here - and are sold by weight at the bakeries - small bite-size puff pastry items are popular with locals (both savory and sweet).

Breakfast cereal: Can be purchased at local supermarkets.

Rice & noodles: Were not common, but pasta meals are available at most restaurants.

Fruit & Vegetables: There are mini-supermarkets that sell fruit & veg, however the open-air markets are likely to have better quality produce available. The meals available in restaurants tend to have more of a meat focus.

Dairy products: Low fat dairy products are available - but these need to be purchased in supermarkets. Low-fat or skim milk is NOT readily available in café's. Cheese is almost as popular as meat, and is eaten from breakfast onwards. Ice cream is available everywhere - it is mostly sold by the 'tobacconist stalls' that are approximately every 10 meters on main streets; gelati is also quite popular - especially the closer you get into town.

Meat: Cured meats (thinly sliced, and with a potently strong flavour) are popular, as are meat 'stew' dishes. One of the local delicacies is 'Fish Stew' (made with paprika), which is actually very tasty! Meat, like cheese, is eaten from breakfast onwards. Many meats have quite a high visible fat content.

What food products are not readily available?

All food products are available, it may just entail some adventurous expeditions to find them!

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

Smoked meats are very common. "Casserole cooking" is also a favourite. Modifying cooking methods at restaurants would be a near impossible task - more so due to the language barrier than a lack of willingness!

Is food reasonably priced in this country?

Food in Serbia is quite cheap - the scale is the same as in Australia - more expensive in restaurants, and cheaper when purchasing from supermarkets. Quick and inexpensive snacks/meals can be purchased from the many "Giro" outlets throughout the city. These shops have a window that opens out onto the street and freshly prepared giros, and wraps with assorted fillings are sold to passersby.

Are there any food safety concerns?

While the water is safe to drink, it tends not to be very nice tasting! Bottled water is readily available (also sold at the ice-cream stalls/tobacconists, mini-supermarkets).

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

The majority of food display cabinets are not refrigerated or heated. This may be a concern as many food outlets are '24hours', and it would appear that the rotation of foods available is questionable! For those wishing to avoid an unsettled stomach, it would be best to avoid those pre-prepared foods that look to have been sitting in display cabinets for too long!

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

Many 'Italian' style restaurants will have menu's that cater for the athlete's needs. 'Skarlia' is the bohemian-district/street in Belgrade (2mins walk from the city centre) that is very popular for eating out, and has a great atmosphere.

What are the customs requirements for this country regarding food?

There are no quarantine controls on foods that are taken into Serbia

What sports supplements foods are available in this country?

Sports nutrition does not appear to have made it to Serbia just yet, and as such, I did not even lay eyes on a single sports drink during my stay here. It would be best to take any sports foods/drinks/supplements with you.

Other comments

If you are a fan of strong coffee - then Belgrade is the place for you! My caffeine intake skyrocketed during my stay, and since returning home, the coffee just hasn't tasted the same!!!