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

Olive oil, a key component of the Mediterranean diet, is loaded with healthy fats and compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties known to promote good health. —Aviv Joshua, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025

The Mediterranean diet—a type of anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fish, and nuts—may improve alopecia symptoms.5 Another case study suggests that a diet of whole, vitamin-rich foods may be an important part of reaching remission, a period with no symptoms. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 30 Apr. 2025

Since then, the diet has been replacing plans that have reigned supreme for a long time, such as the Mediterranean diet. —Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 30 Apr. 2025

To digest a range of nutrients, the Mediterranean diet recommends eating two to three portions of all types of fruits each day. —Alexa Mikhail, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Mediterranean diet

• disquiet
• panchayat
• unquiet
• guyot
• piet
• quiet
• riot

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