Healthy Eating in Grand Turk
We spent 10 days diving in the Turks and Caicos Islands this summer. In spite of meeting a 150-pound Hog Fish, we did fairly well sticking to a healthy eating regime. A bit of pre-trip research also helped us keep meals within our travel budget.
Our strategy included packing a good supply of our favorite nutrition bars, Bare Naked granola, and individual packets of electrolytes to be poured into plain water.
We upgraded from a standard room to a suite/kitchenette and planned to shop for groceries to cover at least breakfast and snacks. We researched restaurants in advance and upon arrival asked a lot of questions. Our cab driver Clifford Wilson and Dale at Oasis Divers were especially helpful.
During the flight from Providenciales to Grand Turk we noticed a large cargo ship crossing below. Another passenger, a man who worked in the Governor's office told us it was the groceries shipment. He recommended doing any grocery shopping on Monday or Tuesday depending on the timing of the cargo. Fortunately, it was a Tuesday, so as soon as we checked in at the Osprey Beach Resort and Oasis Divers, we walked to the market.
It was about a 20-minute walk each way to Cee's market. It was more like a warehouse store in design, but not so in quantity. We did find a decent selection of produce and purchased green apples, and green bananas (which ripened in our room by the end of the week). For breakfast, I purchased plain yogurt to go with the Bare Naked granola we'd brought from home. My dive buddy needs more protein early in the day and purchased some pre-made beef patties and whole wheat english muffins. We also purchased a few mozzarella cheese sticks. They are convenient, offer a little protein with less calories than other cheeses, and go great with a piece of fruit for a quick snack. We also bought a few bottles of water.
Bottled water was available at the Osprey Beach Resort in one-gallon bottles for $3.00. We also saved our water bottles from the dive boat and refilled them each day. A short walk toward downtown provided a water refill station for $ .50 a gallon.
There are about four easy-to-get-to restaurants on Grand Turk. The Osprey Beach Resort has a varied, but limited menu if you are there for 10 days. The best value at the Osprey was the Sunday and Wednesday barbecue nights. Ample portions were served of a choice of meat, chicken or fish (sometimes lobster) along with beans, cole slaw and rice. The barbecue sauces, rice, beans and cole slaw pack a lot of calories so be careful. Eat the meat first and avoid the skin of the chicken. Protein metabolizes slower than carbohydrates and gives the starchy and sugary foods a place to land. Perhaps eat only one-half of the other items on the plate.
One of the healthiest dishes on the island and VERY delicious is the Grilled Chicken Salad at The Sandbar. The salad is made with romaine lettuce, which is a big nutritional plus. Be conservative with the salad dressing. Also, very good at the Sandbar is the Grouper plate. It comes with a baked potato and side salad.
Since we ate in our room each morning we never made it across the street to Michael's, which we understand is open for breakfast.
One evening, we walked about 20 minutes to Captain Zheng's,the Chinese restaurant. It is VERY good with ample portions. I took one-half of my dinner home and had it for lunch the next day.
On Grand Turk, almost every lunch entree is $8.00 to $14.00 or more. Almost every dinner entree is $18.00 to $25.00 or more. You may be able to combine a small side salad with something ala carte, but you will spend about the same as sides run around $7.00 or more.
About the electrolyte powder, We hydrate every morning with calcium, magnisum and potassium, b vitamins, vitmain c, etc. This powder is mixed with our first water of the day and we drink the entire bottle between breakfast and our first dive. We continue to drink a bottle of water between every dive (3 each day), at lunch, and at dinner.
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