Allowed & Forbidden Foods
A guide to foods in the Tayebat System, sorted by permission level (color zones).
Green Zone
Yellow Zone
Orange Zone
Purple Zone
Red Zone
Rice
AllowedThe Five Basics
Frequency: Daily
Backbone of the system, in moderation
Potato
AllowedThe Five Basics
Frequency: Daily
Boiled, baked, or fried in allowed oil
Dates
AllowedThe Five Basics
Frequency: Daily
Natural energy source
Butter
AllowedThe Five Basics
Frequency: Daily
Natural butter only
Sugar
AllowedThe Five Basics
Frequency: Daily
In moderation
Olive Oil
AllowedOils
Frequency: Daily
Extra virgin preferred
Red Meat (Beef/Lamb)
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Every other day
Protein not eaten daily
Liver
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Every other day
Knuckle (Akawi)
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Every other day
Trotters
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Every other day
Mumbar
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Every other day
Head Meat
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Every other day
All Sea Fish
AllowedFish
Frequency: Every other day
Grilled preferred
Cheddar Cheese
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: In moderation
An allowed aged cheese
Roumi Cheese
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: In moderation
Fresh Fruits
AllowedFruits
Frequency: By type
Eaten fresh and ripe
Cane Vinegar
AllowedDrinks & Additives
Frequency: Daily
A staple of the system
Olives
AllowedDrinks & Additives
Frequency: Daily
Green Tea
AllowedDrinks & Additives
Frequency: Daily
Turkish Coffee
AllowedDrinks & Additives
Frequency: In moderation
Moghat
AllowedDrinks & Additives
Frequency: As needed
Honey
AllowedSweets
Frequency: In moderation
Natural honey
Jam
AllowedSweets
Frequency: Healthy adults
Made from fruit and allowed items
Chocolate
AllowedSweets
Frequency: Healthy adults
For healthy adults and children
Whole-Wheat Toast
AllowedAllowed Bread
Frequency: In moderation
Substitute for white bread
Poultry (Chicken)
ForbiddenWhite Meat
Frequency: Forbidden
Forbidden in the system
Eggs
ForbiddenDairy & Eggs
Frequency: Forbidden
Milk & Dairy
ForbiddenDairy & Eggs
Frequency: Forbidden
Includes fresh dairy
Qarish/Cottage Cheese
ForbiddenDairy & Eggs
Frequency: Forbidden
A forbidden fresh cheese
Yogurt
ForbiddenDairy & Eggs
Frequency: Forbidden
Legumes (Lentils/Beans)
ForbiddenLegumes
Frequency: Forbidden
Raw Vegetables
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: Forbidden
Fresh, uncooked
White Flour
ForbiddenFlour & Derivatives
Frequency: Forbidden
Pasta
ForbiddenFlour & Derivatives
Frequency: Forbidden
Baked Goods
ForbiddenFlour & Derivatives
Frequency: Forbidden
Cakes and pastries
Pigeon
AllowedWhite meats
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly within protein days
'The only accepted bird — feeds on clean grains'
Quail
AllowedWhite meats
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Wild migratory bird, not industrially fed
Turtle dove
AllowedWhite meats
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed wild birds
Quail and pigeon eggs
AllowedDairy and eggs
Frequency: Sparingly, occasionally
Sole exception to the egg ban: 'wild birds never industrially fed'
Natural cream (qishta)
AllowedDairy and eggs
Frequency: Daily
Natural only; processed cream is forbidden
Cooking cream
AllowedDairy and eggs
Frequency: For cooking over heat only
Not to be eaten cold
Camel meat
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Twice weekly within the shared meat quota
'Among the best meats'; quota shared with lamb and goat
Goat meat
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Twice weekly
Quota shared with lamb and camel
Rabbit meat
AllowedProteins
Frequency: Every other day, not daily
Under the alternating 'yes-day / no-day' animal-protein rule
Veal
AllowedProteins
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Boiled only, very well done
Buffalo meat
AllowedProteins
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the core meats on the allowed list
Fresh sardines
AllowedFish
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly within protein days
Grilled, eaten with bones; canned in hydrogenated oil avoided
Gouda cheese
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Aged 3+ months; 'casein breaks down'
Edam cheese
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed aged cheeses
Natural mozzarella
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed cheeses
Parmesan cheese
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: Among allowed aged cheeses
'Aged cheeses only'
Emmental cheese
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed aged cheeses
Kashkaval cheese
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Listed as 'Rikford kashkaval'
Triangle processed cheese (except Kiri)
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
'All cooked triangle cheese' allowed, excepting Kiri
Cream cheese (cups)
AllowedCheeses
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Allowed on the cheese list
Natural baladi ghee
AllowedOils
Frequency: Daily
Natural animal ghee allowed; hydrogenated vegetable ghee forbidden
Corn and sunflower oil
AllowedOils
Frequency: Daily
'Good for frying'; olive oil is used cold only
Sweet potato
AllowedStarches and grains
Frequency: Daily, unrestricted
All forms: mashed, fried, chips
Corn on the cob
AllowedStarches and grains
Frequency: At spaced intervals
Grilled or boiled; processed corn products forbidden
Natural popcorn
AllowedStarches and grains
Frequency: At spaced intervals
Natural corn popcorn
Potato chips
AllowedStarches and grains
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
'Simple varieties' — extension of the unrestricted-potato rule
Stuffed zucchini
AllowedVegetables
Frequency: Occasionally
Fresh zucchini forbidden; stuffed with rice or meat allowed
Stuffed eggplant
AllowedVegetables
Frequency: Occasionally
Stuffed with rice or meat
Okra
AllowedVegetables
Frequency: Cooked
One of the few allowed vegetables
Taro
AllowedVegetables
Frequency: Cooked
Allowed vegetable and starchy alternative
Pumpkin
AllowedVegetables
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed vegetables
Carrot
AllowedVegetables
Frequency: Well-cooked, occasionally
Raw is forbidden
Apple
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 1-2 daily between meals
Peeled; organic may be eaten unpeeled
Pear
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Must be peeled
Banana
AllowedFruits
Frequency: One daily as a snack
In moderate amounts
Grapes
AllowedFruits
Frequency: A small cup after lunch
'Black is best', then red and green; wash with baking soda
Strawberry
AllowedFruits
Frequency: Mind the quantity
Fresh, washed with apple vinegar
Pomegranate
AllowedFruits
Frequency: Daily in natural amounts
Seedless only
Peach
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Dipped in hot water a minute, then peeled
Apricot
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 3-5 daily, in the afternoon
On the allowed fruit list
Plum
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Peeled (Santa Rosa)
Cherries
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 10-15 pieces, not daily
Washed well, no peeling
Mulberries
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed fruits
Black figs
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Black only; white figs are forbidden
Mango
AllowedFruits
Frequency: Occasionally
'Juiced only, not eaten whole'
Guava
AllowedFruits
Frequency: Occasionally
'Only without seeds'
Coconut
AllowedFruits
Frequency: Its juice occasionally
Whole fruit and juice allowed; coconut milk forbidden
Dried fruits
AllowedFruits
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Dates, raisins, mulberries, cherries
Citrus juice
AllowedBeverages and additions
Frequency: In small amounts
Orange, lemon, tangerine — juice only; the fruits themselves are forbidden
Black honey (molasses)
AllowedBeverages and additions
Frequency: A spoonful on an empty stomach
Sugarcane molasses
Honeycomb
AllowedBeverages and additions
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among allowed bee products
Thyme
AllowedBeverages and additions
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
'As a drink or on food' — natural
Trusted packaged juices
AllowedBeverages and additions
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Guava, grape, cherry, berry, qamar al-din; fresh juice is banned
Natural seasonings
AllowedBeverages and additions
Frequency: Allowed
Natural salt, black pepper, cumin; ground meat 'with salt only'
Almonds
AllowedNuts and seeds
Frequency: 7-10 pieces, occasionally
Natural or green, unsalted
Walnuts
AllowedNuts and seeds
Frequency: 3-5 pieces, 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed nuts
Cashews
AllowedNuts and seeds
Frequency: 7-10 pieces, 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed nuts
Pistachios
AllowedNuts and seeds
Frequency: 10-15 pieces, 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed nuts
Pine nuts
AllowedNuts and seeds
Frequency: A spoonful, 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed nuts
Peanuts
AllowedNuts and seeds
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among allowed nuts; classification disputed in the tayibate DB
Tahini
AllowedNuts and seeds
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Natural sesame, no additives; presented as the milk substitute
Nutella
AllowedSweets
Frequency: Morning and night only
'In those two times only'
Dark tahini halva
AllowedSweets
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed sweets
Sesame brittle
AllowedSweets
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly
Among the allowed sweets
Basbousa
AllowedSweets
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly, in season
'Egg-free', from bakeries not homemade
Gummy candy
AllowedSweets
Frequency: Occasionally
'From a trusted source'
Labneh
ForbiddenDairy and eggs
Frequency: Forbidden
'A milk product'
Plant-based milks
ForbiddenDairy and eggs
Frequency: Forbidden
All kinds, including coconut and soy milk
Duck and goose
ForbiddenForbidden meats and birds
Frequency: Forbidden
'Domesticated birds that eat off the ground'
Turkey
ForbiddenForbidden meats and birds
Frequency: Forbidden
Same reason as duck and goose
Chicken liver
ForbiddenForbidden meats and birds
Frequency: Forbidden
Liver is allowed 'except chicken'
Farmed fish (tilapia, mullet)
ForbiddenFish
Frequency: Forbidden
Industrially farmed on feed; rule: fish that eats fish is allowed
Shrimp and crustaceans
ForbiddenFish
Frequency: Completely forbidden
Bottom-feeders eating detritus (cuttlefish, lobster, prawns)
Mollusks (octopus, squid, oysters)
ForbiddenFish
Frequency: Forbidden
Biological filters accumulating toxins from the water
Kiri cheese
ForbiddenCheeses
Frequency: Forbidden
'Not aged' — excluded from the allowed triangles
Fresh white cheese (feta, Domiati)
ForbiddenCheeses
Frequency: Forbidden
'Fresh cheeses forbidden' — casein not broken down by aging
Margarine and hydrogenated oils
ForbiddenForbidden oils
Frequency: Forbidden
'Trans fats' — natural butter is the substitute
Oats
ForbiddenStarches and grains
Frequency: Forbidden
'Even oat bread is forbidden', likewise oat biscuits and pasta
Quinoa
ForbiddenStarches and grains
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden starches, even 'alternative' ones
Couscous
ForbiddenStarches and grains
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden processed starches
Cornflakes
ForbiddenStarches and grains
Frequency: Forbidden
'Processed corn flakes' are forbidden
Rice cakes
ForbiddenStarches and grains
Frequency: Forbidden
Forbidden even though rice itself is unrestricted
Corn flour and corn bread
ForbiddenFlour and derivatives
Frequency: Forbidden
Forbidden although whole corn on the cob is allowed
Leafy greens
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: All forbidden
Lettuce, arugula, spinach, parsley, cabbage…; vine leaves 'even stuffed'
Peppers
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: Forbidden, all colors
'Irritant nightshade'; green only in stuffed dishes per some sources
Cucumber
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden raw vegetables
Broccoli
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden cruciferous vegetables
Cauliflower
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden cruciferous vegetables
Onion
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: Raw is forbidden
Cooked in small amounts allowed; rice and potatoes made without it
Garlic
ForbiddenVegetables
Frequency: Forbidden in all forms
Rice and potatoes are prepared without it
Watermelon
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden
'High water content confuses digestion'
Melon (cantaloupe)
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden
Likewise cantaloupe — same reason as watermelon (watery fruits)
Orange and tangerine
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden as whole fruit
Juice only, 'in small amounts'
Lemon
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden fresh
Pickled lemon and its juice allowed 'in small amounts'
Kiwi
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden fruits
Avocado
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden fruits
Pineapple
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden tropical fruits
Papaya
ForbiddenFruits
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden fruits
Black tea
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Forbidden
'Substitute: green tea or Turkish coffee'
Instant and coffee-shop coffee
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Avoid
Likewise milk/creamer coffee; allowed: Turkish from a trusted source
Sodas
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Forbidden
'All industrial drinks forbidden' (Cola, Pepsi, 7Up, Fanta)
Energy drinks
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Forbidden
Red Bull, Monster, Sting — among forbidden industrial drinks
Barley malt drinks
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Forbidden
Fayrouz, Birell, Amstel — among forbidden industrial drinks
Alkaline water
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Forbidden
On the forbidden list
Fresh-squeezed juices
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Forbidden
'They confuse digestion'; substitute: trusted packaged juices
Artificial spices and ready-made sauces
ForbiddenBeverages and additions
Frequency: Forbidden
Only 'natural salt and sugarcane vinegar' are allowed
Flax seeds
ForbiddenNuts and seeds
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden 'natural seeds'
Milk chocolate
ForbiddenSweets
Frequency: Forbidden
'Contains milk'; dark 70%+ cocoa is the allowed kind
Ice cream
ForbiddenSweets
Frequency: Forbidden
Among forbidden sweets
Oriental sweets
ForbiddenSweets
Frequency: Forbidden
Kunafa, zalabya, baklava, qatayef — 'white flour + cream'
Soybeans and derivatives
ForbiddenLegumes
Frequency: Forbidden
'Most dangerous of the legumes'; includes soy milk and tofu