Tamees Flatbread with Sesame
Hejazi tamees bread is the giant tandoor flatbread of Afghan and Yemeni origin, with crisp edges and a soft crumb, much loved with fava beans and qalaba at popular breakfasts. It has a medium glycemic index (clinically reviewed estimate ≈68) because of its size, white flour and fast digestion.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Keep to a quarter of a loaf, dipped in fava beans dressed with olive oil and cumin and eaten with a boiled egg; the protein and fibre lower the glucose spike from the bread.
Best preparation methods
Always choose 'tamees burr' (made with wholemeal flour including the bran) instead of ordinary white tamees or 'biscuit' tamees full of ghee and sugar.
Important Nutritional Note
A whole white tamees loaf equals 3 to 4 ordinary loaves in calories and starch, so sharing it with the family is essential for people with diabetes or on a diet.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (100 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 275 kcal | 275 kcal |
| Protein | 8.5 g | 8.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 54 g | 54 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 51 g | 51 g |
| Fat | 2.8 g | 2.8 g |
| Dietary fibre | 3 g | 3 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Breads & pastries with a glycemic index (16), it ranks 13 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Why does white tamees bread raise blood sugar quickly?
Because its glycemic index is medium (≈68), it is made from refined, starch-rich flour, and baking quickly in the very hot tandoor makes it digested and absorbed very fast.
What is the nutritional value of a quarter of a typical tamees loaf (100 g)?
A quarter loaf provides about 275 kcal, 8.5 g of protein, 3 g of fat and around 54 g of fast carbohydrate.
Is brown (burr) tamees safe for people with diabetes?
It is a much better choice thanks to its bran and fibre, which lower its glycemic index, but it is still starch and the portion should stay at a quarter loaf.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.