The Saudi healthy diet: Why does it outperform global diets?
Amidst the successive waves of global dietary trends promoting "revolutionary" eating habits, the Saudi Ministry of Health has settled the debate surrounding the suitability of these diets for Saudi society. Dr. Abdullah Asiri, Deputy Minister of Health for Population Health, emphasized that dietary recommendations cannot be imported as ready-made packages, stressing that the "Saudi Healthy Plate" represents the safest and most appropriate national reference for the Kingdom's environmental and health realities.
The unique characteristics of Saudi society in the face of imported diets
Dr. Asiri explained that the uproar surrounding the recent American recommendations, which leaned towards increasing the consumption of red meat and animal fats, was a reaction to a specific crisis facing American society: the massive proliferation of ultra-processed foods. He pointed out that replicating and implementing these solutions in the Kingdom would be a fundamental error, given the essential differences in environment, climate, genetics, and the nature of physical activity.
These statements come at a time when the Kingdom, as part of its Quality of Life Program and Vision 2030, is striving to promote preventative healthcare and reduce the rates of chronic diseases. The Kingdom faces specific health challenges, most notably the high rates of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, making diets rich in saturated fats and meat a risky choice and highlighting the need to adopt a dietary pattern that takes these specific epidemiological characteristics into account.
Climate and lifestyle: key determinants of food
The Undersecretary explained that the Kingdom's climate, characterized by heat and dryness for most of the year, imposes different physiological demands on the body, most importantly the critical need for continuous hydration and fluid replacement. Therefore, the national guidelines emphasize water- and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, rather than an excessive focus on concentrated animal proteins that could increase the metabolic burden on the body in such conditions.
Asiri added: “Human health is not a global ‘trend’ to be copied, but rather a conscious response to one’s environment and circumstances. Our commitment to the Saudi healthy diet, reducing salt to less than 5 grams per day, avoiding added sugar, and choosing healthy fats such as olive oil instead of animal fats, is the ideal path to a healthy, balanced, and sustainable life.”.
The philosophy of the Saudi healthy dish: visual and nutritional balance
The "Saudi Healthy Plate" guide doesn't just offer casual advice; it presents a comprehensive system for managing daily food intake based on the principle of "visual balance." The guide recommends that fruits and vegetables occupy half the plate space to ensure adequate intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for boosting immunity, while emphasizing a variety of colors to guarantee a complete range of nutrients.
The guide also highlights the importance of whole grains (such as wheat and oats) as a primary source of sustained energy and fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and improve digestive health. Regarding protein, the guide recommends diversifying between plant-based (legumes) and animal-based (fish, poultry) sources, while limiting red and processed meats.
Nutritional awareness as a first line of defense
Promoting nutritional awareness is an integral part of the Kingdom's health strategy. Therefore, the guide encourages citizens and residents to carefully read food labels and understand the contents of products, including sodium, hidden sugars, and trans fats. This awareness-raising approach aims to empower individuals to make informed dietary choices that contribute to the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, positively impacting public health and quality of life in Saudi society.
