Mediterranean Diet 7-Day Meal Plan & Recipe Ideas

This 7-day Mediterranean diet meal plan provides what you need to start eating the Mediterranean way. It contains with 28 dishes covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Whether you're new to the Mediterranean diet or looking to refine your eating already, you'll get some ideas to enjoy healthy, flavorful dishes that can support weight loss, reduce inflammation, and promote longevity.

This article is from the Mediterranean Diet & Nutrition sections of our Library.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?

Just note that the Mediterranean diet is more than just a meal plan — it's a lifestyle inspired by the traditional diets and behaviors from the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, like Greece, Italy, and Spain.

The Mediterranean diet is based on whole, minimally processed foods: lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, with olive oil as the primary source of fat.

They eat fish and seafood several times per week, some poultry, eggs, and dairy, and red meat and sweets are enjoyed sparingly. This makes it one of the most balanced and sustainable dietary approaches available.

The benefits of the Mediterranean diet are backed by decades of scientific research. It’s the most studied diet on the plant.

Research consistently shows it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers while supporting healthy weight management and cognitive function [1]. The diet is rich in anti-inflammatory foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber helps protect against chronic disease and promotes longevity.

Beyond physical health, the Mediterranean approach to eating also encourages “mindful meals” shared with family and friends, regular physical activity, and an overall appreciation for fresh, seasonal ingredients — making it as much about quality of life as it is about nutrition.

7-Day Mediterranean Meal Plan

Day 1

Breakfast: Shakshuka

This North African dish of eggs poached in a spiced tomato and bell pepper sauce. It provides protein, lycopene, and immune-health boosting vitamin C. Serve it with whole-grain bread for dipping. Don't skip the cumin and paprika — they're key to its authentic flavor.

Lunch: Greek Salad

The classic combination of crisp cucumbers, ripe-vine tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese dressed with extra-virgin olive oil and oregano, which provides heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. For best flavours, use vegetables at room temperature and add the dressing just before serving to keep everything crisp.

Snack: Baklava (1-2 pieces)

This celebrated sweet treat of flaky phyllo layers with honey-soaked walnuts or pistachios should be enjoyed in small portions as part of the Mediterranean diet’s philosophy of “balance and moderation”. The healthy fats from nuts make it healthier than most desserts.

Dinner: Grilled Fish with Lemon and Herbs

Fresh white fish like sea bass or snapper grilled with olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs delivers lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids that support brain and heart health. Pair with roasted vegetables and a simple arugula salad.

Day 2

Breakfast: Whole-Grain Toast with Avocado and Tomato

Avocado provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber, while fresh tomatoes add lycopene and vitamin C. Top with a drizzle of quality olive oil, sea salt, and red pepper flakes.

Lunch: Tabbouleh with Grilled Chicken

This Lebanese parsley salad mixed with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, mint, and lemon juice provides antioxidants and fiber, while grilled chicken adds lean protein. Let it sit for 30 minutes before serving to allow the bulgur to absorb all the flavors.

Snack: Marinated Olives with Citrus and Herbs

A mix of green and black olives marinated in olive oil with orange zest, garlic, and fresh rosemary provides healthy monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that support heart health. Bring to room temperature before serving for maximum flavor [2].

Dinner: Seafood Paella

An iconic Spanish rice dish combines shrimp, mussels, and squid with saffron-infused rice and vegetables, delivering protein, omega-3s, and the anti-inflammatory benefits of saffron. Use a wide, shallow pan to achieve the coveted crispy bottom layer called socarrat. You can use just one type of fish to keep it simple.

Day 3

Breakfast: Greek Yogurt with Honey, Walnuts, and Fresh Figs

Thick, protein-rich Greek yogurt topped with probiotics. Add omega-3 containing walnuts and naturally sweet figs, which provide fiber and potassium. Choose full-fat greek yogurt for maximum satiety and better nutrient absorption [2].

Lunch: Lentil Soup with Lemon

A filling vegetarian soup that combines protein-rich lentils with vegetables, olive oil, and sharp lemon flavours. Make a large batch — it tastes even better the next day as flavors get time to meld together.

Snack: Fresh Dates Stuffed with Almonds

“Nature's candy” combined with crunchy almonds. It’s a simple snack that delivers quick energy from natural sugars, plus healthy fats and vitamin E from almonds. Medjool dates work best for their large size and creamy texture.

Dinner: Briam (Greek Roasted Vegetables)

This traditional Greek dish features layers of zucchini, potatoes, tomatoes, and onions slow-roasted in olive oil until caramelized and tender, providing vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Serve at room temperature with crusty bread and feta cheese.

Day 4

Breakfast: Frittata with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Feta

This baked egg dish with iron-rich spinach, antioxidant tomatoes, and tangy feta provides protein and essential nutrients. Make it in a cast-iron skillet and serve warm or at room temperature.

Lunch: White Bean and Tuna Salad

Creamy cannellini beans paired with olive oil-packed tuna, red onion, and fresh parsley create a protein-rich, satisfying lunch high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Toss with lemon juice and let it marinate for 15 minutes before eating for the best flavor.

Snack: Roasted Chickpeas with Paprika

Crispy oven-roasted chickpeas seasoned with smoked paprika and sea salt offer a crunchy, protein-packed alternative to chips with extra stomach-filling fiber. Roast until completely crispy and store in an airtight container for up to three days.

Dinner: Lamb Kebabs with Tzatziki

Tender lamb marinated in lemon, garlic, and Mediterranean spices provides high-quality protein and essential B vitamins, served with a cucumber-yogurt tzatziki sauce. Serve with warm pita and a simple tomato-cucumber salad for a complete meal.

Day 5

Breakfast: Orange and Almond Semolina Porridge

This Cypriot-style breakfast features creamy semolina cooked with almond milk and orange zest, providing slow-release energy and vitamin C. Top with toasted sliced almonds and a drizzle of honey for added texture and natural sweetness.

Lunch: Caprese Salad with Whole-Grain Bread

Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil leaves drizzled with balsamic and olive oil deliver calcium, lycopene, and heart-healthy fats. Use the highest quality ingredients you can find.

Snack: Fresh Fruit with a Handful of Pistachios

Seasonal fruit like melon, berries, or stone fruits paired with shelled pistachios provides natural sugars for energy plus protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats. The combination of fiber from fruit and healthy fats from nuts helps stabilize blood sugar.

Dinner: Chicken Souvlaki with Greek-Style Roasted Potatoes

Marinated grilled chicken skewers seasoned with oregano, lemon, and garlic provide lean protein, paired with crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside roasted potatoes finished with olive oil and fresh lemon juice. The key is marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours—or overnight for maximum flavor.

Day 6

Breakfast: Spinach and Cheese Borek

These savory Turkish pastries made with phyllo dough, spinach, and feta provide calcium, iron, and B vitamins in a portable breakfast format. Brush with olive oil instead of butter for a more authentically Mediterranean preparation.

Lunch: Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Warming spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon transform chickpeas, tomatoes, and vegetables into a fiber-rich, plant-based lunch that supports gut health. Serve over couscous or with crusty bread to soak up the broth.

Snack: Cucumber Rounds with Labneh and Za'atar

Sliced cucumber topped with tangy strained yogurt cheese (labneh) and the aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend za'atar. It offers probiotics, some hydration, and a satisfying crunch. It’s a low-calorie snack that’s refreshing and substantial enough to tide you over between meals.

Dinner: Baked Cod with Olives and Tomatoes

Mild, flaky cod baked “en papillote” with cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, and white wine creates its own flavorful sauce while locking in moisture and omega-3 fatty acids. The parchment packet steams the fish making it easier to cook.

Day 7

Breakfast: Fig and Ricotta Toast with Honey

Spread ricotta cheese on whole-grain toast. Top with sliced fresh figs and a drizzle of honey. This provides calcium, protein, and natural sugar. Use sourdough or whole wheat bread for added fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Lunch: Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)

This Tuscan salad combines day-old bread with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and basil dressed in olive oil and red wine vinegar. The bread soaks up the vegetable juices and dressing.

Snack: Hummus and Whole-Grain Flatbread

Creamy chickpea hummus provides plant protein and fiber, while whole-grain flatbread gives you energy from complex carbohydrates. Drizzle extra olive oil and sprinkle with paprika or za'atar for authentic flavours and presentation.

Dinner: Moussaka

This Greek casserole layers roasted eggplant with spiced meat sauce and béchamel sauce. It provides protein, antioxidants, and complex flavors that get better if left overnight. Make ahead and reheat for better flavours.

How to Personalize Your Mediterranean Meal Plan

The Mediterranean diet's flexibility makes it easy to adapt to your individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.

For vegetarians and vegans, simply replace fish and meat with plant-based proteins like legumes, tofu, or tempeh, and use nutritional yeast or dairy alternatives in place of cheese.
If you don’t like dairy, substitute coconut yogurt or cashew cream while still enjoying the diet's health benefits.
If you're on a budget, focus on inexpensive staples like dried beans, lentils, seasonal vegetables, canned fish, and eggs — frozen vegetables and fruits are nutritious, more affordable alternatives to fresh produce.
For beginners or those who don't cook often, start with the simplest preparations: roasted vegetables, grilled fish or chicken, simple salads, and no-cook meals like the white bean and tuna salad.
Pre-washed greens, pre-cut vegetables, and canned beans significantly reduce prep time without sacrificing nutrition.
If you’re looking at gains or losing bodyweight; adjust the kcals by increasing/decreasing the portion size while maintaining the diet's proportions. Add an extra serving of vegetables and extra virgin olive oil to increase calories, or reduce grains and use vegetables as the base of meals to lower them.

The beauty of Mediterranean eating is its adaptability: it works for weight loss, weight maintenance, athletic performance, or simply enjoying delicious, health-promoting food.

Tips for Success

Success on the Mediterranean diet comes from embracing its principles as a lifestyle rather than treating it as a restrictive diet.

Stock your kitchen with key staples: quality extra-virgin olive oil, canned tomatoes, dried herbs like oregano and basil, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and frozen fish. Having these ingredients on hand makes it easy to prepare Mediterranean-style meals even when you haven't planned ahead.
Invest in a few versatile kitchen tools — a good sharp knife, a large skillet, and baking sheets. This makes cooking easier, more enjoyable and the food taste better.
Meal preparation can transform your week: cook large batches of grains, roast several trays of vegetables, and prepare components like hummus or lentil soup that last several days.
Eat mindfully, savoring each bite and sharing meals with others when possible — this social aspect is integral to Mediterranean culture.
Stay hydrated with water throughout the day, enjoy moderate amounts of red wine with meals if it suits your lifestyle, and remember that consistency matters more than perfection.
Allow yourself flexibility for celebrations and special occasions while returning to Mediterranean principles as your foundation.
Finally, complement this way of eating with regular exercise and physical activity — whether it's a daily walk, dancing, swimming, or gardening — to fully embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle that has sustained healthy populations for generations.

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Shopping List

This is the shopping list, which covers all ingredients needed for your 7-day Mediterranean meal plan. Quantities are based on 2 servings per meal. Adjust as needed for your household size.

Shopping Tip: Sort your pantry out first. Read our article on the pantry essentials for the Mediterranean diet. You may also have many Mediterranean staples like olive oil, spices, and dried herbs already.

Fresh Produce

Vegetables: Tomatoes (10-12 medium, plus 2 pints cherry tomatoes), Cucumbers (4 medium), Bell peppers (2 red, 1 green, 1 yellow), Zucchini (3 medium), Eggplant (2 large), Red onions (4 medium), Yellow onions (3 medium), Garlic (2 bulbs), Fresh spinach (10 oz/300g), Arugula (5 oz/150g), Potatoes (2 lbs/900g), Carrots (4 medium), Celery (4 stalks), Avocados (2 ripe).

Fresh or Dried Herbs: Fresh parsley (2 large bunches), Fresh mint (1 bunch), Fresh basil (2 bunches), Fresh dill (1 bunch), Fresh rosemary (1 sprig), Fresh oregano or thyme (1 bunch)

Fruits: Lemons (8-10), Oranges (2), Fresh figs (6-8), Seasonal fruit of choice (melon, berries, or stone fruits for snacks).

Proteins & Seafood: Eggs (18 large), White fish fillets - sea bass, cod or snapper (1 lb/450g), Chicken breasts (1.5 lbs/700g), Boneless chicken thighs (1 lb/450g), Lamb leg or shoulder (1 lb/450g, for kebabs), Ground beef or lamb (1 lb/450g, for moussaka), Shrimp, peeled and deveined (12 oz/350g), Mussels (1 lb/450g), Squid, cleaned (8 oz/225g), Cod fillets (12 oz/350g)

Dairy & Cheese: Greek yogurt, full-fat (32 oz/900g), Feta cheese (12 oz/350g), Fresh mozzarella (8 oz/225g), Ricotta cheese (8 oz/225g), Labneh (strained yogurt cheese) (6 oz/170g), Almond milk (16 oz/500ml), Butter (4 oz/115g, for béchamel), Milk (2 cups/500ml, for béchamel)

Pantry Staples & Grains

Grains, Legumes & Bread: Whole-grain bread (1 loaf), Whole-grain flatbread or pita (1 package), Crusty bread for panzanella (1 loaf), Bulgur wheat (1 cup/200g), Paella rice or Arborio rice (1.5 cups/300g), Couscous (1 cup/200g), Semolina (1 cup/200g), All-purpose flour (for béchamel), Phyllo dough (1 package, frozen), Dried lentils (brown or green) (1 cup/200g)

Canned/Jarred Items: Canned whole tomatoes (28 oz/800g), Chickpeas/garbanzo beans (3 cans, 15 oz/425g each), Cannellini beans (white beans) (1 can, 15 oz/425g), Tuna in olive oil (2 cans, 5 oz/140g each), Hummus (16 oz/450g) OR dried chickpeas to make your own, Kalamata olives (1 jar, 8 oz/225g), Mixed olives (green and black) (8 oz/225g), Capers (1 small jar).

Oils, Vinegars & Condiments: Extra-virgin olive oil (32 oz/1L - high quality), Red wine vinegar (8 oz/250ml), Balsamic vinegar (4 oz/125ml), White wine for cooking (1 bottle), Honey (8 oz/225g).

Nuts, Seeds & Dried Fruits: Walnuts (8 oz/225g), Sliced almonds (4 oz/115g), Whole almonds (4 oz/115g), Shelled pistachios (4 oz/115g), Medjool dates (8-10 whole), Baklava (store-bought or homemade - small portion)

Spices & Dried Herbs

Essential Spices: Ground cumin, Paprika (sweet), Smoked paprika, Ground coriander, Ground cinnamon, Saffron threads (small pinch for paella), Za'atar spice blend, Red pepper flakes, Sea salt, Black pepper

Dried Herbs: Dried oregano, Dried thyme, Bay leaves

Optional Items: Red wine (for pairing with meals), Green peas (frozen, for paella), Parchment paper (for baking fish en papillote), Wooden skewers (for kebabs and souvlaki)

Money-Saving Tips:

Buy whole fish and have your fishmonger fillet it for you
Purchase herbs in bulk and freeze extras in olive oil using ice cube trays
Buy dried chickpeas and lentils instead of canned to save money
Choose frozen seafood when fresh is expensive or unavailable
Shop at Mediterranean or Middle Eastern markets for better prices on spices, nuts, and specialty items
Buy in-season produce and substitute similar vegetables when needed

Storage Note:

Store fresh herbs with stems in water (like a bouquet), cover loosely with plastic, and refrigerate. Most will last 1-2 weeks this way.

Ready to fully embrace the Mediterranean diet?

This meal plan is just the beginning. For detailed recipes with step-by-step instructions, ingredient lists, tips and tricks, nutritional information and cooking techniques, check out our complete Mediterranean Diet Recipe Guide.

Upgrade these meal ideas into reality with professional guidance from our health scientists and experienced cooks.

Sources

1. Guasch-Ferré M, Willett WC. The Mediterranean diet and health: a comprehensive overview. J Intern Med. 2021 Sep;290(3):549-566. PMID: 34423871

2. Gillingham LG et al. Dietary monounsaturated fatty acids are protective against metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Lipids. 2011 Mar;46(3):209-28. PMID: 21308420