Mediterranean diet

noun

: a diet typical of many Mediterranean countries (such as Italy and Spain) that consists mainly of cereals, grains, vegetables, beans, fruits, and nuts along with moderate amounts of fish, cheese, olive oil, and wine and little red meat

The Mediterranean diet is a veteran of the diet scene and not quite as trendy or weight-loss-focused as some of its siblings. But it's a perennial favorite of doctors and dietitians, buoyed by studies that suggest it can lower the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

—Gisela Telis

Examples of Mediterranean diet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This colorful, plant-forward combo with moderate dairy echoes the foundations of the Mediterranean diet, which is known for helping to reduce the risk of heart disease. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 22 Oct. 2024

However, where the Mediterranean diet encourages olive oil, the Nordic diet favors canola oil.2 Nordic eating limits the intake of game meat, red meat, and animal fats. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024

Scientists then rated their eating habits based on how closely people followed two diets that can promote both heart and brain health: the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet. —Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Oct. 2024

An eating pattern similar to the Mediterranean diet is what longevity experts recommend the most. —Renée Onque, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Mediterranean diet

noun

: a diet typical of many Mediterranean countries (as Italy and Spain) that consists mainly of cereals, grains, vegetables, beans, fruits, and nuts along with moderate amounts of fish, cheese, olive oil, and wine and little red meat