A diet that gained rapid popularity on social media, claiming to alleviate chronic health conditions, has come under scrutiny as health authorities in several regional countries issue warnings about its safety. The Tayyibat Diet, created by the late Egyptian physician Diaa El Awady, has been linked to multiple hospitalizations after individuals discontinued prescribed medications in favor of following its guidelines.

The diet prescribes the exclusion of several food groups traditionally regarded as nutritious—including chicken, eggs, legumes, most vegetables, dairy products, and certain fish varieties—while promoting the consumption of rice, potatoes, red meat, natural sugars, and select types of cheese. El Awady, who passed away in April at age 47, contended that many chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension could be managed primarily by “healing the gut” and removing so-called toxic foods, relegating medication to a secondary role.

Medical experts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Oman, have expressed concerns about the diet’s lack of scientific validation. Shamsa bint Ibrahim al Khusaibi, Clinical Nutrition Technician and member of the Oman Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition Association, emphasized that the Tayyibat Diet omits numerous foods essential for providing vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients necessary for maintaining overall health. According to al Khusaibi, such restrictive dietary models risk causing nutrient deficiencies unless carefully supervised and supplemented.

“Nutritional needs vary significantly between individuals based on age, gender, health status, and lifestyle factors, making it difficult to apply one diet broadly,” al Khusaibi noted. She further cautioned that personal testimonials or symptom improvements reported by individuals do not constitute scientific proof of a diet’s safety or efficacy. Instead, she stressed that conclusions regarding nutrition should rely on well-designed, peer-reviewed clinical studies.

Health professionals also warned against categorizing foods simplistically as either harmful or beneficial and advised against eliminating entire food groups without medical necessity. They cautioned that substituting prescribed treatment solely with diets like Tayyibat could pose serious health risks. Moreover, promoting increased intake of sugars or saturated fats as safe for all individuals runs contrary to established health guidelines.

Experts suggest that broader lifestyle factors—including regular exercise, quality sleep, stress management, and routine medical care—also play critical roles in managing chronic diseases. They called for independent scientific research to objectively evaluate the effects of the Tayyibat Diet and similar trending nutritional regimens spreading throughout the region. Such studies would equip individuals with accurate information to make informed decisions about their health and nutrition.