{"id":8326,"date":"2018-08-28T18:32:25","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T16:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourbarcelonafoodtours.com\/?p=8326"},"modified":"2022-05-06T15:50:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-06T15:50:56","slug":"eating-with-allergies-in-barcelona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/eating-with-allergies-in-barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Eating with Allergies in Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"
We all want to enjoy local food when we travel, and cosmopolitan Barcelona features plenty of options for people with varying dietary needs. However, attempting to communicate your allergies to restaurant staff\u2014and knowing what you can and can’t eat\u2014can be challenging at best, and have potentially serious consequences at worst. This guide to eating with allergies in Barcelona will highlight useful Spanish and Catalan vocabulary as well as common dishes containing allergens that you may want to steer clear of.<\/p>\n
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Peanuts are not very common in Spanish and Catalan cuisine. However, to be on the safe side, we recommend that even those who only have peanut allergies familiarize themselves with this information. Tree nuts are more common and can sneak their way into many unsuspecting dishes. Here’s what you need to know as far as peanuts and tree nuts for eating with allergies in Barcelona.<\/p>\n
The first term listed is Spanish, the second is Catalan.<\/em><\/p>\n Guests with tree nut allergies should be cautious of any food labeled “a la catalana<\/em>.” This regional twist on common dishes implies the use of pine nuts. Another local specialty, romesco sauce<\/a>, makes the perfect accompaniment to grilled cal\u00e7ots<\/i><\/a>. However, this traditional sauce includes any variety of nuts (usually almonds, hazelnuts and\/or pine nuts) more often than not.<\/p>\n Take special care when ordering dessert. Many Catalan treats contain tree nuts.\u00a0Turr\u00f3n\u00a0<\/em>(torr\u00f3<\/em> in Catalan), popular around the winter holidays, comes to mind\u2014this rich nougat is made with a large amount of almonds. Other treats like\u00a0coca de Sant Joan\u00a0<\/em>(eaten around Sant Joan’s Day in June<\/a>) and\u00a0panellets<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>(traditionally enjoyed on All Saints’ Day in November) are seemingly everywhere on certain holidays. However, both contain pine nuts, and\u00a0panellets\u00a0<\/em>usually have almonds as well.<\/p>\n Fortunately for those eating with allergies in Barcelona and avoiding nuts, there are still plenty of delicious options! Most typical main dishes (with the exception of those listed above) are nut-free. That means you’re free to enjoy your potato tapas<\/a> (both in\u00a0bomba\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0bravas\u00a0<\/em>form),\u00a0fideu\u00e0<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0pan con tomate<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>and more without fear of allergens. When it comes time for dessert, there are still plenty of nut-free options, such as everyone’s favorite:\u00a0crema catalana<\/em>!<\/p>\n Eating with allergies in Barcelona can seem difficult if you need to avoid dairy. However, with a little bit of knowledge about common foods containing dairy and the handy vocabulary listed below, you’ll be set to eat at any local bar or restaurant.<\/p>\n The first term listed is Spanish, the second is Catalan.<\/em><\/p>\n Be careful with anything that includes\u00a0all i oli.\u00a0<\/em>This garlic mayonnaise is a popular condiment all throughout Spain, especially here in Barcelona, but is often made with milk instead of eggs. And unfortunately, croquettes are a no-go most of the time as well. These creamy little bites are made with bechamel sauce, which contains milk. However, many places (especially vegan restaurants<\/a>) offer bechamel-free\u00a0croquetas<\/em>, so if you’re not sure, just ask! When it comes time for dessert, stay away from\u00a0crema catalana<\/em><\/a>, which has milk as a primary ingredient as well.<\/p>\n Many restaurants offer fabulous grilled meats and fish that make great options for those eating with allergies in Barcelona and avoiding dairy. Just look for anything “a la plancha”<\/em>\u2014that just means the dish has been simply seasoned and grilled to perfection. No need to worry about whether or not there’s a sauce that may or may not contain dairy! Many staple dishes of the Catalan diet are also dairy-free. We particularly love\u00a0esqueixada<\/em><\/a>, a refreshing tapa made with salt cod, tomatoes, olives, onions and peppers.<\/p>\n Whether you’re celiac or just prefer to stay away from gluten, our guide to eating gluten free in Barcelona<\/a> is a must! In the meantime, here’s a crash course in avoiding gluten in Barcelona.<\/p>\n The first term listed is Spanish, the second is Catalan.<\/em><\/p>\n Many tourists come to Barcelona in search of paella, but more often than not, you’ll find locals chowing down on hearty\u00a0fideu\u00e0<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>instead.\u00a0It’s similar to its popular Valencian counterpart, but made with noodles rather than rice (and plenty of seafood, too!). Another common Catalan staple is\u00a0pan con tomate<\/em>, or bread rubbed with fresh tomato, which is as popular at breakfast as it is as an evening tapa. Celiacs and other gluten-free diners should stay away from these two dishes, unless you know for certain that you’re at a place that uses gluten-free noodles or bread.<\/p>\n\n
Common foods containing nuts<\/h3>\n
Typical nut-free foods<\/h3>\n
Dairy allergies<\/h2>\n
Important vocabulary<\/h3>\n
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Common foods containing dairy<\/h3>\n
Typical dairy-free foods<\/h3>\n
Gluten allergies\/intolerance<\/h2>\n
Important vocabulary<\/h3>\n
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Common foods containing gluten<\/h3>\n
Typical gluten-free foods<\/h3>\n