Saudi Arabia's Major Food Types in the Diet

Staples

• Diet in Saudi Arabia today varies between its urban and rural populations. Urban Saudis enjoy a much more varied foods, but still eat many of the same foods of their rural counterpart. According to FoodByCountry.com, the most common foods in the Saudi diet are wheat, yogurt, dates and chicken. Saudi Arabia produces more than 600 million pounds of dates per year.

Meats

• Though Saudi Arabia's Islamic heritage outlaws the consumption of pork, the Saudis do eat a good deal of meat. They eat a lot of chicken, according to FoodByCountry.com. On average, a Saudi eats about 88 pounds of chicken each year. Lamb is also eaten in Saudi Arabia, but it is more of a delicacy, served during religious holidays, celebrations and special occasions. All animals must be butchered in a special way, according to Islamic law. Saudis also eat a great deal of dairy products like milk and yogurt.

Bread and More

• Breads are a common part of the Saudi diet. One type of popular bread is called fatir. This flatbread is made with toasted barley flour and has a shape similar to a tortilla. Another popular bread is arikah, which is primarily served in the southwestern part of the country. It is usually served with honey. Another flatbread, kimaje, is served with meals and used to scoop up food.

Western Influences

• Because Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, drinking alcohol is outlawed.

  While Western fast food restaurants have proliferated into Saudi Arabia, tourists and non-Saudis typically frequent them more than the Saudis themselves.