Managing meals in Colombia

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator21 November 2025 09:28:56

15092

Hello everyone,

Managing meals day-to-day can sometimes be a real mental challenge, even more so when you land in a new environment, with different schedules, habits or ingredients. How do you manage your meal routine as an expat in Colombia? We invite you to share your experience in order to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats.

What are the main changes you have made to your meal routine since settling in Colombia?

Did you face any challenges to adapt to new meal habits?

Do you cook fresh meals everyday or do you meal prep? Why?

If you live with your family, do you prepare meals for everyone for school or work? Are canteens available?

Do you usually eat out for lunch or dinner or do you prefer eating at home?

What surprised you the most about meals in Colombia, either in terms of habits, timing, portions, meal composition, food culture, etc.?

Share your insights, experience and meal routines!

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
Expat.com Team

ChineduOpara Serial expat

Member since 08 August 2021

ChineduOparaSerial expat07 January 2026 12:48:29

415

I have a strong sense of deja-vu with this post. Isn't this a repeat of a previous old post/question?

Bhavna Team

Member since 01 June 2015

BhavnaTeam07 January 2026 14:31:39

42716

@ChineduOpara

Hello,

Years ago (5-6 years ago) we launched a similar topic about food culture. I don't remember the exact title but it was about food.

This topic is mainly on meal prep.

Regards

Bhavna

El Jer Member

Member since 04 June 2015

El JerMember08 January 2026 02:29:23

How do you all handle lettuce for salads? The stuff at Carulla appears low-risk. Is it enough to rinse it with boiled (cooled-off) water to avoid gastro problems? I've heard you should hit it with vinegar also?

nico peligro Serial expat

Member since 18 September 2020

nico peligroSerial expat08 January 2026 22:18:13

920

Depends where you live

On the coast water can be contaminated

I never got sick except esting sea food on rmthe coastbut then I have a.long term expat stomach

Probably glt all types of micro.parasites but dlesnt bother me

ChineduOpara Serial expat

Member since 08 August 2021

ChineduOparaSerial expat09 January 2026 19:43:31

415

How do you all handle lettuce for salads? The stuff at Carulla appears low-risk. Is it enough to rinse it with boiled (cooled-off) water to avoid gastro problems? I've heard you should hit it with vinegar also? - @El Jer

When I lived on the north coast (in the city whose name I no longer wish to utter) and bought bagged salads from Carulla once in a while (when they were available), I would rinse the entire contents in a big bowl of filtered water that included 1 or 2 tablespoons of plain vinegar. That seemed to do the trick, because I never got sick from contaminated home-prepared food.

Then again, I never NOT washed them, so this experiment is technically not 100% valid 🤷🏾‍♂️ Better safe than sorry, however...