The Mediterranean diet has gained a considerable amount of attention here in the U.S. in recent years, in large part, due to a growing body of evidence that it may help to improve several aspects of your overall health.
From decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease to improving the function of your brain, research suggests that adherence to a Mediterranean diet may offer a number of different short and long-term benefits.
But what exactly can and can't you eat if you want to reap the benefits? From daily dietary staples to occasional treats, we're going over everything on the Mediterranean diet menu.
What Is The Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional eating habits of the indigenous people living around the Mediterranean sea -- particularly Italy and Greece.(1) Modeled around the main food sources consumed in this region during the 1960s, the Mediterranean diet contrasts with the contemporary Western diet in a number of ways.(2)
With the rise of modern agricultural and food production, the foods that make up our regular diets have changed significantly, even for those living in the Mediterranean region.(3)
While the foods we eat nowadays may be cheaper and more readily available, they also contain more low-quality ingredients. More of our calories now come from processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats which has contributed to a drastic increase in obesity-related morbidity and mortality in Western society.
What's on the Mediterranean Diet Menu?
Through evaluating the evidence across hundreds of different peer-reviewed journal articles, a group of experts assembled by the Mediterranean Diet Foundation has developed a food pyramid based on the most current research findings.(6)
In the pyramid, foods are broken down into three basic categories: foods you can eat every day, foods you can eat a few times a week, and foods you can eat only occasionally.
⫸Main Every Day Foods
The Mediterranean diet is centered around three types of food -- vegetables, fruits, and cereals -- which should be incorporated into all of your main meals.(7)
Vegetables
Vegetables play an important role in the Mediterranean diet, helping to provide your body with a healthy supply of the vitamins and minerals it needs in order to optimally function.
Because different vegetables contain different concentrations of essential nutrients, it’s important to consume a variety of different vegetables to assure that you’re getting a diversity of micronutrients.
Mediterranean Diet Vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Spinach
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Kale
- Peppers
- Peas
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- etc…
Fruit
At least one serving of fruit should also be incorporated into your main meals. Fruits are loaded with antioxidants and other substances that help to protect and support all of your body’s major systems.(8)
Fruits should also be your go-to dessert option. Because the Mediterranean diet keeps unhealthy sweets to a minimum, fruits should serve as one of your primary sources of sugar.
Mediterranean Diet Fruits
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Raspberries
- Pears
- Melons
- etc...
Whole Grain Cereals
We’re not talking about breakfast cereals here. The term cereal refers to unprocessed, whole grain foods like pasta, rice, and bread, which you should also be present in your main means (1 - 2 servings per meal).
In addition to being a substantial source of carbohydrates, whole grain food sources are also an excellent source of dietary fiber which on top of supporting your digestive system, also helps you to feel more satiated after a meal.
Mediterranean Diet Grains
- Whole grain pasta
- Brown rice
- Whole Oats
- Whole grain bread
- Buckwheat
- etc...
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Olive Oil
Olive oil is also consumed on a daily basis with the Mediterranean diet. In fact, it should serve as your primary source of dietary fat -- 25% to 35% of your total daily calories should come from healthy fat sources likes olive oil.(9) While fat often gets a bad wrap, it actually plays a number of vital roles in your body, contributing to a myriad of different cellular processes.
Unsaturated fats like olive oil should make up the majority of the fat found in your diet. Trans fats, on the other hand, which are commonly characterized as “unhealthy fats” should be kept to a minimum on the Mediterranean diet.(10)
In addition to serving as your primary cooking oil, olive oil can also be used as a flavor additive on things like salad and bread.
Dairy-Based Foods
The Mediterranean diet calls for 2-3 servings per day of low-fat dairy-based foods like yogurt and cheeseas well. In addition to containing healthy amounts of protein, dairy products are also high in calcium and vitamin D, which can help to support the overall health of your bones.
It’s important to point out though that dairy-based foods can be high in saturated fat, which should be kept to a minimum on the Mediterranean diet, so they’ll need to be consumed in moderation each day.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are also a daily food source on the Mediterranean diet and experts recommend that you should have between one to two servings of them per day.
In addition to containing healthy fats like mono and polyunsaturated fat, nuts and seeds are also rich in things like vitamins and antioxidants.
Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices are also mainstays in the Mediterranean diet. Things like garlic and onions powder can be a healthy and helpful way to add additional flavors into your meals.
They can also be a useful substitute for salt, which can be detrimental to your health in large amounts. In addition to improving the flavor profile of your food, herbs and spices are a good source of things like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants as well.
⫸Weekly Foods
On top of things that you should eat every day, the Mediterranean diet also includes foods that should be consumed only a few times a week.
Many of these kinds of foods are sources of dietary protein, which plays a number of important roles in the maintenance of your body’s tissues, however, potatoes also fall into the weekly foods category.
The Mediterranean diet includes proteins that come from both animal and plant-based sources and while these types of foods may be consumed multiple times a week, they’re not to be eaten as often as the types of foods listed in the above section.
Animal-based proteins should come from 3 main sources -- fish, eggs, and white meat. Red meat can also be consumed, however, it should be eaten in moderation. Plant-based proteins should predominantly come from things like beans, legumes, and nuts.
Here’s what the allowances look like for your weekly foods:
| Food Source | Weekly Serving Size |
| Fish | 2+ servings |
| Eggs | 2 - 4 servings |
| White Mean (Chicken, Turkey, etc..) | 2 servings |
| Red Meat (Beef, Pork, etc..) | < 2 serving |
| Beans & Legumes | 3+ servings |
| Potatoes | ≤ 3 Servings |
⫸Occasional Foods
At the very apex of the Mediterranean food pyramid are foods that you should only eat occasionally -- we’re talking a few times a month. These foods generally include sweets, which are often loaded with trans fats and/or added sugars.
This category includes everything from cake and pie to sugary beverages like soft drinks and fruit juices. It’s generally, it’s recommended that you have less than 2 servings of sweets per week.
⫸What Should You Drink?
Water should be your main beverage on the Mediterranean diet. In general, it’s recommended that the average person consumes 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day -- that’s approximately 6 - 8 glass.(11)
On top of water, unsweetened tea and coffee can also be consumed in moderate amounts on the Mediterranean diet. Drinking small amounts of wine -- particularly red wine -- is also allowed, especially during mealtime. The standard recommendation is no more than 2 glasses per day for men and 1 glass per day for women.(12)
⫸What's Foods Should You Avoid on the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean diet eliminates highly processed foods from your eating routine. That includes foods and beverages with lots of added sugar -- like high fructose corn syrup -- as well as oils, grains, and meats that have been highly processed. It’s also low in saturated and trans fat.(4)
While these types of foods may be abundant in modern-day western society, they weren’t consumed by our European predecessors, whom research shows, had a much lower incidence of obesity-related disorders.(5)
Wrap Up
The Mediterranean diet is based on the eating habits of people from countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain during the 1960s. Primarily oriented around healthy, whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, the Mediterranean diet also includes moderate amounts of fish and white meat like chicken and turkey.
It’s amongst the most-well studied diets, with research showing that it may help with everything from weight loss and cardiovascular disease prevention to improving the contents and composition of your gut microbiota. The only potential downside to the Mediterranean diet is that some of the foods it includes may be more expensive.
- References
- “Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis" Sofi, F., Cesari, F., Abbate, R., Gensini, G.F., Casini, A. BMJ. Sep. 2008.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates" Bach-Fig, A., Berry, E.M., Lairon, D., Reguart, J., Trichopoulou, A., Dernini, S., Medina, F.X., Battino, M., Belahsen, R., Miranda, G., Serra-Majem, L. Public Health Nutrition. Sep. 2011.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates" Bach-Fig, A., Berry, E.M., Lairon, D., Reguart, J., Trichopoulou, A., Dernini, S., Medina, F.X., Battino, M., Belahsen, R., Miranda, G., Serra-Majem, L. Public Health Nutrition. Sep. 2011.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating" Willet, W.C., Trichopoulou, A., Drescher, G., Ferro-Luzzi, A., Trichopoulos, D. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Jun. 1995.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating" Willet, W.C., Trichopoulou, A., Drescher, G., Ferro-Luzzi, A., Trichopoulos, D. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Jun. 1995.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates" Bach-Fig, A., Berry, E.M., Lairon, D., Reguart, J., Trichopoulou, A., Dernini, S., Medina, F.X., Battino, M., Belahsen, R., Miranda, G., Serra-Majem, L. Public Health Nutrition. Sep. 2011.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating" Willet, W.C., Trichopoulou, A., Drescher, G., Ferro-Luzzi, A., Trichopoulos, D. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Jun. 1995.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates" Bach-Fig, A., Berry, E.M., Lairon, D., Reguart, J., Trichopoulou, A., Dernini, S., Medina, F.X., Battino, M., Belahsen, R., Miranda, G., Serra-Majem, L. Public Health Nutrition. Sep. 2011.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating" Willet, W.C., Trichopoulou, A., Drescher, G., Ferro-Luzzi, A., Trichopoulos, D. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Jun. 1995.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating" Willet, W.C., Trichopoulou, A., Drescher, G., Ferro-Luzzi, A., Trichopoulos, D. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Jun. 1995.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates" Bach-Fig, A., Berry, E.M., Lairon, D., Reguart, J., Trichopoulou, A., Dernini, S., Medina, F.X., Battino, M., Belahsen, R., Miranda, G., Serra-Majem, L. Public Health Nutrition. Sep. 2011.
- “Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates" Bach-Fig, A., Berry, E.M., Lairon, D., Reguart, J., Trichopoulou, A., Dernini, S., Medina, F.X., Battino, M., Belahsen, R., Miranda, G., Serra-Majem, L. Public Health Nutrition. Sep. 2011.
- “The Mediterranean Diet, its Components, and Cardiovascular Disease" Widmer, R.J., Flammer, A.J., Lerman, L.O., Lerman, A. American Journal of Medicine. Mar. 2015.
- “Mediterranean diet, stroke, cognitive impairment, and depression: A meta‐analysis" Psaltopoulou, T., Sergentanis, T.N., Pangiotakos, D.B., Sergentanis, I.N., Kosti, R., Scarmeas, N. Annals of Neurology. May. 2013.
- “Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet" Estruch, R., Ros, E., Salas-Savado, J., Covas, M., COrella, D., Aros, F., Gomez-Gracia, E., Ruiz-Guiterrez, V., Fiol, M., Lapetra, J., Lamuela-Raventos, R.M., Serra-Majem, L. The New England Journal of Medicine. Apr. 2013.
- “Systematic Review of the Mediterranean Diet for Long-Term Weight Loss" Maancini, J.G., Filion, K.B., Atallah, R., Eisenberg, M.J. The American Journal of Medicine. Dec. 2015.
- “Mediterranean diet and weight loss: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials" Esposito, K., Kastorini, C.M., Panagiotakos, D.B., Giugliano, D. Metabolic Symdrome and Related Disorders. Oct. 2010.
- “Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet" Shai, I., Schwarzfuchs, D., Henkin, Y., Shahar, D.R., Witkow, S., Greenberg, I., Golan, R., Fraser, D., Bolotin, A., Vardi, H., Tangi-Rozental, O., Zuk-Ramot, R. The New England Journal of Medicine. Jul. 2008.
- “Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and risk of diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis" Schwingshackl, L., Missbach, B., Konig, J., Hoffman, G. Public Health Nutrition. May. 2015.
- “Mediterranean Diet and Mild Cognitive Impairment" Scarmeas, N., Stern, Y., Mayeaux, R., Manly, J.J., Schupf, N., Luchsinger, J.A. Archives of Neurology. Feb. 2009.
- “Mediterranean diet, stroke, cognitive impairment, and depression: A meta‐analysis" Psaltopoulou, T., Sergentanis, T.N., Panagiotakos, D.B., Sergentanis, I.N., Kosti, R., Scarmeas, N. Annals of Neurology. May. 2013.
- “High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet beneficially impacts the gut microbiota and associated metabolome" De Filippis, F., Pellegini, N., Vannini, L., Jeffrey, I.B., La Storia, A., Laghi, L., Serrazanetti, D.I., Di Cagno,R., Ferrocino, I., Lazzi, C., Turroni, S., Cocolin, L., Brigidi, P., Neviani, E., Gobbetti, M., O'Toole, P.W.m Ercolini, D. BMJ Gut. Nov. 2016.
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