The Ministry of Health (MoH) warned against following any diet that lacks scientific evidence or using it as a substitute for prescribed medical treatment without professional supervision, including the so-called “Al-Tayyibat Diet.” The Ministry stressed that doing so may expose individuals to serious health complications.
MoH explained that the warning follows the monitoring of cases in which individuals stopped taking insulin or diabetes medications based on recommendations linked to widely circulated dietary regimens. Some patients replaced prescribed medications or reduced their doses, including treatments for chronic diseases, without consulting their physicians. Several of these cases required emergency care and admission to intensive care units due to severe hyperglycemia or diabetes-related complications.
The Ministry also warned against categorizing foods as entirely “beneficial” or “harmful” or eliminating essential food groups without a medical justification, noting that such practices may lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients. It further cautioned against promoting excessive consumption of sugars or saturated fats as a safe option for everyone.
MoH emphasized that a healthy dietary pattern is based on balance and variety, including consuming more vegetables, eating appropriate amounts of fruit, choosing whole grains, diversifying protein sources, and limiting added sugars, sugary beverages, saturated fats, and salt. It urged anyone who has stopped or reduced a prescribed medication to consult their physician without waiting for complications to develop, and stressed the importance of seeking advice from a physician and a licensed dietitian before adopting any diet for therapeutic purposes.
The Ministry also urged the public to obtain health information only from official and trusted sources, including the Live Healthy platform, the Ministry’s official health awareness platform, or by contacting the 937 Health Call Center for medical advice. It warned against relying on circulating content or scientifically unproven claims in order to protect public health and ensure community safety.