5-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Beginners, Created by a Dietitian

5-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Beginners, Created by a Dietitian Credit:

Recipe photos: Victor Protasio and Ali Redmond. EatingWell design.

Meal Plan at a Glance
Breakfast/ A.M. Snack Lunch/ P.M Snack Dinner/ Evening Snack
Apple & nut butter toast Chickpea & feta grain bowl/ Cottage cheese snack jar Mediterranean food plan stew/ Yogurt parfait
Berry chia pudding/ Almonds Chickpea & feta grain bowl/ Guacamole snack jar Chicken & candy potato salad
Almond & nut butter toast Mediterranean food plan stew/ Guacamole snack jar Garlic-butter salmon & veggies/ Yogurt parfait
Berry chia pudding/ Almonds Chickpea & feta grain bowl/ Cottage cheese snack jar Chicken & candy potato salad
Berry chia pudding Hummus-stuffed candy potato/ Guacamole snack jar Garlic-butter salmon & veggies/ Yogurt parfait

Day 1

Chickpea-Farro Grain Bowl.

Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali.


Breakfast (588 Calories)

Lunch (538 Calories)

Afternoon Snack (219 Calories)

Dinner (231 Calories)

Evening Snack (301 Calories)

Daily totals: 1,854 energy, 77 g fats, 83 g protein, 201 g carbohydrates, 45 g fiber, 1,478 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 energy: Omit night snack.

To make it 2,000 energy: Add ¾ cup in-shell edamame as a morning snack. Add 1 slice whole-wheat toast to dinner.

Day 2

Rotisserie Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Salad.

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey


Breakfast (478 Calories)

Morning Snack (206 Calories)

  • ¼ cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds

Lunch (538 Calories)

Afternoon Snack (168 Calories)

Dinner (584 Calories)

Daily totals: 1,839 energy, 100 g fats, 81 g protein, 173 g carbohydrates, 45 g fiber, 1,375 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 energy: Reduce to 1 tablespoon almonds at morning snack. Omit afternoon snack.

To make it 2,000 energy: Add 1 oz. darkish chocolate as a night snack.

Day 3

Garlic-Butter Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Asparagus.

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist Lydia Pursell


Breakfast (588 Calories)

Lunch (231 Calories)

Afternoon Snack (168 Calories)

Dinner ( 522 Calories)

Evening Snack (301 Calories)

Daily totals: 1,809 energy, 96 g fats, 86 g protein, 154 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 1,635 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 energy: Omit night snack.

To make it 2,000 energy: Add ½ whole-wheat grilled cheese sandwich to lunch and add ½ serving whole-wheat crackers to afternoon snack.

Day 4

Berry Chia Pudding.

Breakfast (478 Calories)

Morning Snack (103 Calories)

  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted dry-roasted almonds

Lunch (538 Calories)

Afternoon Snack (219 Calories)

Dinner (584 Calories)

Daily totals:  1,787 energy, 83 g fats, 93  g protein, 184 g carbohydrates, 44 g fiber, 1,417 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 energy: Reduce morning snack to 1 Tbsp. almonds. Omit afternoon snack.

To make it 2,000 energy: Increase morning snack to three Tbsp. almonds. Add 1 oz. darkish chocolate as a night snack.

Day 5

Stuffed Sweet Potato with Hummus Dressing.

Ali Redmond


Breakfast (478 Calories)

Lunch (472 Calories)

Afternoon Snack (168 Calories)

Dinner ( 522 Calories)

Evening Snack (301 Calories)

Daily totals: 1,806 energy,  81 g fats,  87g protein, 195 g carbohydrates, 51 g fiber, 1,275 mg sodium

To make it 1,500 energy: Omit night snack.

To make it 2,000 energy: Add 2 Tbsp. unsalted dry-roasted almonds as a morning snack. Add 1 serving whole-wheat crackers to afternoon snack.

Frequently Asked Questions


  • Is it OK to combine and match meals if there’s one I don’t like?

    Yes! This meal plan is supposed to function inspiration. It doesn’t should be adopted precisely to reap the advantages. When selecting recipes, we made positive to examine the energy, fiber, protein and sodium to align with the parameters of this plan and be inside our sodium limits. If you’re making a recipe swap, it might be useful to decide on a recipe with comparable energy, fiber, protein and sodium ranges. For extra inspiration, try these scrumptious simple Mediterranean Diet recipes.


  • Can I eat the identical breakfast or lunch every single day?

    Definitely, it’s wonderful to eat the identical breakfast or lunch every single day. The breakfasts vary from 478 to 588 energy, whereas the lunches span 231 to 538 energy. These ranges are pretty shut, although for those who’re intently monitoring your energy or different vitamins, like protein, it’s possible you’ll need to modify a snack or two.


  • Why is there not a 1,200-calorie modification?

    We now not present modifications for 1,200-calorie days in our meal plans. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans means that limiting energy to 1,200 per day is simply too low for most individuals to fulfill their dietary wants, plus it’s unsustainable for long-term well being and well-being.


Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean food plan is without doubt one of the most well-studied consuming patterns on this planet, with analysis exhibiting it may well assist decrease the danger of coronary heart illness, weight problems, sort 2 diabetes, sure cancers and even neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s. Much of its energy comes from polyphenols and antioxidants naturally present in plant-based meals, which have robust anti-inflammatory properties. By lowering continual irritation, this manner of consuming helps general well being and longevity.

Beyond bodily well being, promising analysis suggests the Mediterranean food plan may additionally increase mind well being. Studies hyperlink it to improved reminiscence, diminished danger of cognitive decline and even higher temper regulation, making it pretty much as good to your thoughts as it’s to your physique. The better part? This model of consuming is approachable for newbies. Many of your favourite meals already match the plan, making it simple to get began.

How We Create Meal Plans

Registered dietitians thoughtfully create ConsumingWell’s meal plans to be easy-to-follow and scrumptious. Each meal plan meets particular parameters relying on the well being situation and/or life-style objective it’s concentrating on and is analyzed for accuracy utilizing the vitamin database, ESHA Food Processor. As dietary wants differ from individual to individual, we encourage you to make use of these plans as inspiration and modify as you see match.

You deeper

What Happens to Your Brain When You Follow the Mediterranean Diet

The New Mediterranean Diet

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