Starting a new diet can be a daunting experience if you don’t know where to start. Luckily, the Mediterranean diet is less of a diet and more of a lifestyle! There are no strict rules, but there are guidelines that if followed, will help you to live a healthier life. So let’s jump into how to start a Mediterranean Diet today!
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What Is The Mediterranean Diet?
So what even is the Mediterranean diet?
I know when I first heard of it, I pretty much dismissed it because of the term ‘diet’. I knew that diet culture in general was bad, and I didn’t want to fall into the trap of restrictive eating habits.
It involves eating a large variety of fruits and vegetables every day, including healthy grains and legumes in your meals, and trying to have a few meatless meals a week.
Fish is encouraged to be consumed twice a week, and red meats and sweets should only be enjoyed on occasion (notice how I didn’t say never!)
The lifestyle change encourages you to try to get 30 minutes of exercise a day. That can be a walk outdoors, a gym session, or even just dancing in your living room! It also encourages meals to be shared with family and friends.
With all that being said, do you think anyone will ever go on the ‘American diet’? (hotdogs, hamburgers, Mcdonalds, eating in your car on the way to work LOL)

How To Start A Mediterranean Diet
So, how do you start the Mediterranean diet?
A great place to start is to try to make your next 5 dinners with these plate ratios in mind.
Use what you have and don’t stress too much about the preparation. If you can manage this, you will be well on your way to healthier eating habits and a healthier lifestyle!
Easy Ways To Eat The Mediterranean Way Every Day
Here are some quick and helpful hints to help you build meals that you love every single day.
Vegetables First
Eat In Season and Locally, If Possible
Make Your Grains Ahead of Time
Rethink Protein
Have Fun With Flavors and Textures!

Your Printable Mediterranean Diet Food List
Other than ‘How do I start the Mediterranean diet?’, I also frequently get asked about what ingredients are okay to eat on a Mediterranean diet.
The answer isn’t really black and white, because the MedDiet t isn’t a restrictive diet.
There really aren’t a lot of ‘do’s and don’ts’.
To help you out, I created this free Mediterranean diet shopping list with the framework that you will need to make healthy ingredient purchases!
Recipes To Get You Started
Since this is a (mostly) Mediterranean diet blog, we are chock-full of Mediterranean diet recipes that even the most novice of MedDiet enthusiasts will enjoy! Just pair them with the healthy whole grain and veggie of your choice, and you’ve got dinner.