Translated by John Rizvi

The “Al-Tayyibat” diet system, which has been associated with the late Egyptian doctor Diaa Al-Awady, has sparked widespread controversy in several Arab countries, including Jordan, after content in its support spread across social media platforms and personal experiences of its supporters were circulated, who reported improvements in their health conditions after following it.

The system is based on dividing foods into two categories: permitted foods and prohibited foods, based on their supposed effects on the digestive system and chronic inflammation. It focuses on eating foods such as rice, potatoes, brown bread, red meat, and natural animal fats, while avoiding a number of common foods, including chicken, eggs, milk, legumes, and most leafy vegetables.

In contrast to the rapid spread of this system, health authorities in Egypt and Saudi Arabia have warned against following it, confirming—according to published statements by nutrition experts—that it is not based on scientific evidence or reliable clinical studies and that it falls under exclusionary dietary systems that may lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients if applied without medical supervision.

Despite the absence of an official position in Jordan so far, the debate over the system has expanded across social media, where opinions are split between supporters relying on individual experiences and opponents warning of its potential health risks.

With the spread of the system, some citizens have linked it to the noticeable decline in egg and chicken prices in recent weeks, as table egg prices fell by about 25% to 35% compared to the previous period, with the price of a tray in some markets reaching around 1.5 dinars after previously exceeding that in earlier periods.

Data from the Poultry Farmers and Feed Investors Association indicates that egg and poultry prices in Jordan are primarily subject to production and seasonal factors, such as the level of local production, feed prices, export and import activity, as well as traditional consumption patterns during seasons.

The head of the association, Engineer Abdulshakour Jamjoom, confirms in his interview with “AmmanNet” that the current decline in table egg prices is primarily due to the significant increase in local production, noting that the Kingdom is recording its highest production levels in more than a decade this year.

Jamjoom explains that the increase in supply coincided with a decline in purchasing power after Eid al-Adha, along with saturation of foreign markets that import Jordanian eggs and poultry, which led to large quantities remaining in the local market and a drop in prices. He notes that Jordan still exports eggs to some markets, but many importing countries have increasingly relied on their own local production or imports from other countries such as Turkey and Ukraine, which reduced export opportunities and affected market balance.

Jamjoom denies that the “Al-Tayyibat” diet has any significant impact on demand, stating that its effect, if any, does not exceed 5–10% of total consumption.

He also rejects claims circulating about the use of hormones in poultry farming, explaining that these substances are not used in Jordan, that their high cost makes their use economically unfeasible, and that they are not allowed entry by the relevant regulatory authorities. He adds that the rapid growth of chickens is due to genetically improved breeds globally, protein- and energy-rich feed, and approved preventive vaccination programs in farms, confirming that locally produced poultry and table eggs are safe for consumption and produced under approved health and regulatory standards.

Concurrently, the head of the Food and Nutrition Association and clinical nutrition expert, Engineer Fadia Eid, warns against following dietary systems spread on social media without consulting specialists.

Eid confirms that the “Al-Tayyibat” diet system is not based on clear scientific foundations, but rather relies heavily on individual experiences whose results may vary from person to person, noting that some of the improvements reported by followers may be linked to weight loss or psychological factors and not necessarily a real treatment of health problems.

She explains that excluding entire food groups may lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients, weakened immunity, and various health complications, especially if accompanied by stopping prescribed medications.

She particularly warns patients with chronic diseases, especially those with diabetes, against stopping medication based on advice circulated online, noting that cases have been recorded of people suffering serious complications as a result.

Eid points out that the rapid spread of these systems is due to the nature of social media content, which often relies on storytelling of success cases and promises of quick recovery. She emphasizes that health is not only related to food but to an integrated system that includes physical activity, sleep, psychological state, and regular medical follow-up.

Amid the ongoing debate over “Al-Tayyibat” and scientific warnings about its potential risks, specialists agree on the importance of relying on verified medical information and not adopting any dietary system or stopping medication without consulting qualified health authorities. Market data also confirms that the decline in egg and poultry prices in Jordan is mainly linked to local production surplus and reduced export opportunities, not to dietary changes circulating on social media.