Bringing food and non prescription tablets

Cassie,

IATA Saudi manual states this as:

"No foodstuffs may be imported except: fruits, nuts, sweets prepared under hygienic conditions, honey and other foodstuffs in an "easy-to-open can" which can easily be inspected. ... for restrictions regarding foodstuffs from countries with cholera infected areas"

In plain English it means the customs authority looks for any home made item or an "un  branded food package" which looks suspicious and sub standard. In majority of the cases it will end up in a large garbage drum on the side.

Your Pasta diet powder will be dealt with in a similar manner,  you will  be facing a 'big problem"  only if it turns a testing swab purple upon chemical examination.

All the medicines are available in Saudi, you may prefer to bring a week's supply along with its prescription for convenience.

Over exaggerated. I bring my personal meds all the time. Some i keep in my car which gets checked through customs everyday. No one has ever objected. No drugs, liquor and porn thats it.

The stuff you mentioned is all good.  I mean, protein powders and pastas are available here as well, so why would there be an issue?

Customs is Saudi have relaxed over the years, as their drug searching technology has improved they are easier on the normal passengers, I routinely bring in dog food without any hassles, but i refrain from bringing in any packed meat products as i just don't want to create any hassle.
Legal drugs are MUCH cheaper than Europe, but protein powders etc are probably more expensive.

Bottom line is feel free to bring anything except drugs, liquor, weapons, porn or pets.

Last week I was invited to a homemade Three-course Moroccan Dinner, where every single ingredient was brought from Casablanca by my friends wife. The food was awsome by the way 

When I cameback from my last vacation, I brought fresh Fig, chees, homemade cake , dry herbs ,Seeds, some plants and cactus too    and no I did not bring the kitchen sink , in case if you are wondering

no drugs no liquor

I was not allowed to bring in boxed sweets ( MITHAI) and fresh mangos was not successful.