Our collection of one-page resources is designed to help cooks of all abilities discover new and easy ways to use popular Mediterranean Diet ingredients.
Artichokes • Avocados • Beans • Beets • Bell Peppers • Blueberries • Bulgur • Cabbage • Cauliflower • Citrus • Dates • Dried Figs • Eggplant • Eggs • Fennel • Garlic • Grapes • Greek Yogurt • Herbs • Hummus • Kale • Lentils • Olive Oil • Olives • Pasta • Peanuts & Peanut Butter • Pomegranates • Potatoes • Radishes • Salmon • Sardines • Shrimp • Spices • Summer Squash • Tomatoes • Tuna • Walnuts
ArtichokesArtichokes are a great family friendly vegetable that provide dietary fiber, vitamin C, folate, and magnesium. Whether you cook with fresh artichokes or with canned or jarred artichoke hearts, there are lots of ways to enjoy the delicate flavor and health benefits of artichokes. |
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AvocadosAvocados head the list of healthy fruits, although often categorized as a vegetable. Smooth, buttery, and needing nothing but a quick “nick and peel” to eat as a healthy snack, they contain “good” fats, are linked to reduced risk of chronic diseases, and rank as one of the “super foods” of the Mediterranean Diet. |
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BeansLooking for ways to put healthy meals together in minutes? Reach for the canned beans. Traditional cooks soak dried beans overnight before cooking them. But when you’re in a hurry, canned beans are a great convenience. And they deliver plenty of inexpensive protein as well as fiber. |
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BeetsThis wonderfully versatile ingredient has edible roots and greens. Beet roots offer fiber, folate, manganese, and potassium, while the greens pack vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The availability of fresh, cooked, and canned beets in the grocery store makes it easy to incorporate beets into any meal. |
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Bell PeppersBell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and a good source folic acid, and fiber, with red bell peppers packing the most nutrition. In fact, red bell peppers are richer in vitamin C than most citrus fruit! They add a touch of sweetness without the excess calories, and are just as delicious raw as they are cooked. |
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BlueberriesHigh in vitamin C and a good source of fiber, blueberries may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve cognitive function, and protect the bladder from infection. Buy fresh berries when you can find them, or check the freezer case for frozen choices that now include flavorful wild berries. |
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BulgurBulgur wheat is one of the world’s original fast foods. It consists of hulled wheat kernels (also called groats) from any of several wheat varieties (most commonly durum wheat). Because the kernels retain their intact germ, bran, and endosperm, they are whole grains. |
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CabbageBok choy, green, napa, red, and savoy cabbages are all excellent sources of vitamins C and K. Look for tight heads and discard any loose or brown leaves. Avoid overcooking cabbage to keep your kitchen free of the notorious cabbage smell. |
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CauliflowerCauliflower is an amazingly versatile ingredient! It’s mild flavor makes it easy to incorporate into a wide range of dishes, meaning you can easily introduce extra fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants to the dinner table. |
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CitrusCitrus is a healthy and delicious part of the Mediterranean Diet, filled with cancer-fighting flavonoids, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. As with herbs and spices, citrus offers a sodium-free way to flavor foods. |
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DatesIf you haven’t experimented with dates in your kitchen, start with the large, soft, creamy and delicious Medjool dates, grown in the U.S. in the Bard Valley between Phoenix and San Diego. They deliver special tastes and textures to a wide range of dishes, adding great bursts of flavor to stews, tagines, curries, and grain dishes. |
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Dried FigsDelicious, versatile, and packed with nutrition, California Figs from the San Joaquin Valley of Central California are the perfect addition to your sweet and savory recipes. In addition to their great taste, there are plenty of good reasons to enjoy figs. They offer fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals. Figs were one of the first fruits ever cultivated by ancient peoples, and today they are easy to find in grocery stores. |
EggplantA Mediterranean Diet staple, eggplant is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Naturally low in calories, this hearty, satisfying vegetable is a source of fiber and potassium. Since eggplant is extremely versatile and can be cooked in many ways, it’s easy to add this nutritious powerhouse to your diet. |
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EggsPacked with protein, eggs are a staple in the Mediterranean Diet. They’re easy to find, easy to keep on hand in the refrigerator, economical, nutritious, and versatile. One large egg contains about 70 calories, 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. It also contains 13 essential vitamins and minerals, most in the yolk. |
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FennelBecause fennel is entirely edible, including the bulb, stalks, fronds, and even the seeds, it is a wildly versatile ingredient. One cup of raw, sliced fennel bulb has less than 30 calories but offers 3g of fiber and more than 15% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. |
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Fresh HerbsHerbs and spices were added to the updated Mediterranean Diet Pyramid at an Oldways Conference in 2008. The international scientific committee thought it was important to include herbs and spices for reasons of both health and taste. |
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GarlicOne of the most common ingredients used in Mediterranean cooking, garlic is typically paired with onion, tomato, and ginger. Garlic is versatile because of how its flavor changes as it is cooked, from spicy and pungent to sweet and mellow. |
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GrapesGrapes are an excellent source of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and manganese. They have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and a natural source of polyphenols, which may contribute to heart health and other age-related diseases. |
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Greek YogurtGreek yogurt is a key ingredient in the Mediterranean Diet. It is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt since most of the whey has been strained out, and it has a delicious tangy flavor. Plus, it contains twice the protein of regular yogurt and less lactose. |
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HummusThis nutritious, creamy, and tangy Mediterranean spread and dip provides heart-healthy fats, protein, and fiber. You can buy traditional hummus, made from chickpeas, plus varieties made from edamame, white beans, or yellow lentils, plus flavors ranging from lemon to horseradish. |
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KaleThis hearty and versatile dark leafy green vegetable is a nutrition powerhouse that packs whopping amounts of vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It’s also a good source of several minerals. And best of all, Kale is delicious! |
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LentilsLentils are small but nutritional powerhouses of the legume family. A half-cup of cooked lentils has a whopping 9 grams of protein, more than nearly any other legume, and 8 grams of fiber. Plus, lentils have the added advantage of being quick and easy to prepare. |
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Olive OilIt’s hard to think of a reason not to use olive oil every day. It keeps well, has a delicious taste, and offers remarkable health benefits. Studies show that people who make olive oil a part of their diets have lower rates of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. |
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OlivesWhen you adopt the Mediterranean Diet, olives become an important ingredient to use daily–on their own as snacks and appetizers, or as components in dips, sauces, salads, whole grain and pasta dishes, stews, and even baked goods. |
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PastaPasta is nutritious, delicious, and affordable, making it an important staple in the Mediterranean Diet. Pasta’s versatility allows for almost endless preparations. It is a wonderful partner for almost any vegetable. |
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Peanuts & Peanut ButterPeanuts and peanut butter play an important role in the Mediterranean Diet. They are sources of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and protein, and can lower your risk of weight gain, since they help keep you feeling full for hours. |
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PomegranatesWhole pomegranate arils offer the most nutritional benefit, but pomegranate juice and molasses are also traditional Mediterranean ingredients that lend themselves nicely to making delicious, healthy dishes. |
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PotatoesPotatoes are one of the most nutrient dense vegetables and a staple food in cuisines around the world. There are hundreds of different types of potatoes, including russets, reds, fingerlings, blues, purples, yellows, and whites – each offering different textures and tastes. |
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RadishesRadishes are a wonderful spring vegetable that can help add texture and brightness to dishes without heavy use of salt. The little roots come packed with a peppery flavor, vitamin C, and fiber. |
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SalmonResearch shows that seafood is an important part of a balanced diet. Salmon is a delicious and versatile choice often enjoyed as part of a Mediterranean Diet. This nutrient dense fish is low in calories and offers a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids. |
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Canned SardinesSardines are a good source of lean protein, calcium, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. They’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids. And, sardines—specifically those caught in the Pacific—are also a sustainable choice for the environment. |
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ShrimpShrimp, the most popular seafood in the U.S., is prized for its mild flavor, quick cooking time, and versatility. It’s also low in calories and fat. Visit your local fish market to find the most sustainable options, which include wild-caught and U.S.-farmed shrimp. |
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SpicesIt’s a smart idea to find ways to flavor your food with spices, which provide both a regional and a cultural identity to whatever you prepare, along with many health benefits. |
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Summer SquashA one-cup serving of summer squash is only 20 calories but packs more than 30% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, making it a healthy addition to any meal. |
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TomatoesTomatoes are one of the true stars of the Mediterranean diet. Fresh or canned, they’re a versatile staple that partners beautifully with herbs and vegetables in a wide range of traditional dishes including, of course, tomato sauce and pasta. |
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Canned TunaCanned tuna is a great Mediterranean Diet food. It is rich in protein, low in fat and calories, and is an excellent source of essential omega-3 fatty acids, which science has shown to improve heart health and brain function. |
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WalnutsWalnuts are nutritious foods that complement a wide range of flavors. They contain a significant amount of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, and provide protein, too. |