Food in Syria - Allergies???

yes it is very easy to avoid this problem as chick peas is mostly included in the appetizer it is called (Homos) tel the waiter that you don't want this.
as for lentils (Adas) there is a special food called mjadara you need to avoid this and they are famous to make a soup with lentils. as for nut (Bounk) it is not used much in food. but with sweet it is used sometimes.

you can also print this and give it to the waiter

الرجاء لا نريد في الطعام: ‏
حمص، عدس وبندق.‏
لدينا حساسية
شكرا

Wow, thank you for that. That was very kind to include the translation.

This is good news. I was afraid that perhaps there would be elements of chick peas/lentils etc in a large % of the foods...

Cheers,

Ritarc is right - the presence of lentils, nuts or chickpeas would be pretty obvious in most dishes, and I should think that most waiters would understand her requirements.

You'll need to avoid falafels and almost all baklava as well! Presumably your partner is fine with sesame seeds - one would hope so, as tahina is used in a very wide variety of dishes, though you could probably avoid it if need be.

If you eat any sort of fritters or battered things, you'll probably want to check that gram flour (powdered chickpeas) wasn't used. Gram flour is much more of a South Asian thing, but I seem to remember seeing sacks of it for sale in Syria.

I hope you like meat :D However please also be forewarned that sometimes though rare they put Chickpeas in even the shawerma. My son is also allergic to all the above and some, making him an interesting restaraunt partner. I would definately take the arabic to restaraunts with you, sweets are chock full of nuts, especially pistacios, lucky for us peanuts arent so much the nut they use. Have a good trip, you still wont go hungry, just need to be cautious. At least a pharmacy chock full of anti histamines can be found on nearly every corner :D

Take care

Aisha in Hama

I am allergic to sesame seeds & nuts.

I can generally see when nuts have been included in a dish and can avoid them, but sesame seeds are more problematic as tahini or sesame seed oil may be added as an ingredient.

I know not to eat hommous, babaghanoush and halva, but what other foods will I need to be careful of that may contain sesame? I will be travelling in Syria & Jordan in April.