Mediterranean diet

[ med-i-tuh-rey-nee-uhn dahy-it ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mediterranean diet¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Tanasi, who developed this study as part of the Mediterranean Diet Archaeology project promoted by the USF Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment, collaborated with several USF researchers and partners in Italy at the University of Trieste and the University of Milan to perform chemical and DNA analyses.

From Science Daily

Many of the randomized controlled trials that have proven the link between diet and mental health have tested the Mediterranean diet or a slightly modified version of it.

From Salon

One of the many attributes of the Mediterranean diet that may be responsible for its effect on mood is its low glycemic index.

From Salon

The Mediterranean diet is typically characterized by lots of vegetables – especially dark green, leafy vegetables – fruit, olive oil, whole grains, legumes and nuts, with small amounts of fish, meat and dairy products.

From Salon

Many physicians recommend the Mediterranean diet.

From Los Angeles Times