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

Plus, the conditions the Mediterranean diet has historically helped prevent — cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes — are the same ones researchers now link to chronic low fiber intake. —Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

The other half of the equation is what the Mediterranean diet quietly removes. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 June 2026

The findings support previous evidence that the Mediterranean diet can boost overall health. —Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026

Both experts pointed to the Mediterranean diet as a good baseline. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Mediterranean diet

• disquiet
• 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