Mediterranean diet

American  

[med-i-tuh-rey-nee-uhn dahy-it] / ˌmɛd ɪ təˈreɪ ni ən ˈdaɪ ɪt /

noun

1. a diet traditionally followed in Greece, Spain, southern Italy and France, and parts of the Middle East, with emphasis on fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seafood, and olive oil.

   A study showed that people who ate a Mediterranean diet had a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than people following a low-fat diet.

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Etymology

Origin of Mediterranean diet

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

And eating right: There is a growing body of evidence that eating a so-called Mediterranean diet may dramatically lower your risk of dementia.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

They said that she enjoyed a broadly healthy lifestyle: she lived in the countryside, walked one hour a day, and ate an oil-rich Mediterranean diet.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

Mr Scordamaglia also spoke about the role of the Mediterranean diet in promoting good health.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

The hPDI score increased in both groups, while the uPDI score rose in the vegan group and decreased among those eating the Mediterranean diet.

From Science Daily • Nov. 24, 2025

This analysis builds on a previous Physicians Committee study that directly compared a low-fat vegan diet with a Mediterranean diet.

From Science Daily • Nov. 24, 2025