20 Mediterranean Diet Recipes for Beginners (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat spaghetti on Mediterranean diet? ›

Pasta is a welcome part of the Mediterranean Diet, emphasizing balance and moderation. Here's what is recommended when you choose pasta: Opt for whole grain or legume-based pasta to boost fiber and nutritional content.

Try this today: Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your meals and snacks throughout the day is a great way to get started on the Mediterranean diet. Try adding a side salad or steamed veggie dish to your main meals and enjoy a fresh piece of fruit for dessert!

Our favorite option, "The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook," includes 500 recipes, meal-planning suggestions, and much more. But if you're looking for quick, weekday-friendly recipes, we recommend "The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook."

Yes, you can definitely have pizza with the Mediterranean diet. That's why I'm starting this week with the Cast-Iron Skillet Pizza with Red Peppers, Chicken & Spinach. This pizza is not only delicious but it's also full of beautiful colors (and thus, nutrients!) from the red peppers, spinach and basil.

And as plant-based protein sources that are high in good and unsaturated fats, peanuts and peanut butter are a natural fit within Mediterranean and Flexitarian ways of eating. Unfamiliar with the Mediterranean and Flexitarian diets?

The Mediterranean diet prohibits the consumption of processed foods, refined sugars, refined grains, and trans fats. Additionally, the diet limits the intake of red meat and high-fat dairy products. In addition, the consumption of alcohol is restricted, with the exception of red wine, which you can have in moderation.

While no diet offers a 'magic pill' for weight loss or health challenges, the Mediterranean Diet, backed by the findings from the PREDIMED-Plus study, presents a scientifically supported option for those looking to reduce belly fat.

Cheese & Yogurt

Dairy products common to the traditional Mediterranean Diet include: brie, chevre, corvo, feta, haloumi, manchego, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pecorino, ricotta, yogurt (including Greek yogurt).

Key ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine include olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, protein-rich legumes, fish and whole grains with moderate amounts of wine and red meat.

Any bread that is made from whole wheat, whole grains, sprouts, and sourdough is recommended while on a Mediterranean diet. You will want to avoid bread made from refined grains, such as white bread if you are following this diet.

What is a typical meal on the Mediterranean diet? ›

Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are main ingredients in meals and snacks. Meals may include small portions of fish, meat, or eggs. People often cook with olive oil and add herbs and spices for flavor.

Lots of vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils and nuts. A good amount of whole grains, like whole-wheat bread and brown rice. Plenty of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as a source of healthy fat. A good amount of fish, especially fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

The Mediterranean diet encourages upping your intake of vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seafood, and extra-virgin olive oil. Therefore, pasta (whole grain pasta, in particular), can absolutely be part of a Mediterranean diet. Chickpea noodles are also encouraged in Mediterranean pasta recipes.

Watch your portion sizes closely.

Pasta is most commonly a side dish in the Mediterranean. Keep your portion sizes at between 1/2 cup and 1 cup to avoid eating too many calories and to keep your blood sugar stable. This strategy helps you stay trim and keeps your heart healthy.

Tomatoes both raw and cooked are extensively consumed in the Mediterranean region. Tomatoes are low in fats, rich in vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, carotenoids and polyphenols [28].

You betcha! As with the all foods fit mentality of the Mediterranean diet, a tomato is no exception. These bright and juicy fruits are often categorized as a vegetable. The science is back and forth of these gems but the fact remains is that they are a healthy addition to the Mediterranean diet.