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

Researchers studied over 5,200 adults from southern Italy for 13 years to see how consuming a Mediterranean diet affected their lifespan.18 Study participants who closely followed a Mediterranean diet lived longest, with an average lifespan of about 90 years. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 7 Jan. 2025

For most of the health conditions U.S. News examined, the Mediterranean diet comes out at or near the top of the rankings. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Jan. 2025

For menu ideas, check out the Canadian Diabetes Association sample Mediterranean diet 7-day menu. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Jan. 2025

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, and encourages eating fish three or more times a week. —Mill Etienne, Forbes, 20 Dec. 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