7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (2024)

The Mediterranean diet has long been recognized as one of the healthiest and most delicious ways to eat. The core concept behind this healthy diet is to eat like the people who live in the Mediterranean region by filling your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, fish and other lean protein, and enjoying moderate amounts of red wine (drinking is not required).

Beyond simply what you're putting on your plate, the Mediterranean diet also emphasizes healthy lifestyle habits, which include practicing mindful eating, getting plenty of activity and reducing stress as much as possible.

This seven-day Mediterranean diet plan helps you practice those habits with help from good-for-you foods and delicious Mediterranean diet-inspired ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for a full week of healthy eating.

At 1,200 calories you're on track to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week. If you're looking for a higher calorie level, see this same meal plan at 1,500 and 2,000 calories. And don't miss our seasonal Mediterranean diet meal plans for summer and fall!

7 Ways to Follow the Mediterranean Diet for Better Health

How to Meal Prep Your Week of Meals

  1. Meal prep the Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crispy Chickpeas to have for lunch during the busy workweek. Store in air-tight meal-prep containers to keep fresh.
  2. On Day 3, cook a double batch of Basic Quinoa when making dinner and save left over quinoa in a large airtight glass container. You'll use more quinoa for the on Day 4. Any quinoa leftover after that can be portioned out into individual servings and frozen for future use.
  3. If you have more time to spare and want to get ahead even more, you could peel and cut carrots for snacks for the week and make the red-pepper sauce for the on Day 4.

30 Days of Mediterranean Diet Dinners

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (2)

Day 1

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (3)

Breakfast (219 calories)

  • 1 serving Rainbow Frittata

A.M. Snack (62 calories)

  • 1 medium orange

Lunch (374 calories)

  • 1 serving

P.M. Snack (126 calories)

  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/4 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt

Dinner (442 calories)

  • 1 serving Dijon Salmon with Green Bean Pilaf

Daily Totals: 1,223 calories, 68 g protein, 114 g carbohydrates, 29 g fiber, 58 g fat, 1,615 mg sodium

Day 2

Breakfast (287 calories)

  • 1 serving Muesli with Raspberries

A.M. Snack (30 calories)

  • 1 plum

Lunch (337 calories)

  • 1 serving Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas

P.M. Snack (102 calories)

  • 2 Tbsp. hummus
  • 2 medium carrots

Dinner (479 calories)

  • 1 serving Linguine with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Daily Totals: 1,235 calories, 45 g protein, 165 g carbohydrates, 39 g fiber, 48 g fat, 1,059 mg sodium

Day 3

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (5)

Breakfast (252 calories)

  • 1 serving

A.M. Snack (61 calories)

  • 2 plums

Lunch (337 calories)

  • 1 serving Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas

P.M. Snack (126 calories)

  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/4 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt

Dinner (429 calories)

  • 1 serving Cod in Tomato Cream Sauce
  • 1 cup Basic Quinoa

Daily Totals: 1,205 calories, 59 g protein, 138 g carbohydrates, 33 g fiber, 47 g fat, 1,129 mg sodium

Day 4

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (6)

Breakfast (291 calories)

  • 1 serving Creamy Blueberry-Pecan Overnight Oatmeal

A.M. Snack (62 calories)

  • 1 medium orange

Lunch (337 calories)

  • 1 serving Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas

P.M. Snack (61 calories)

  • 2 plums

Dinner (479 calories)

  • 1 serving

Daily Totals: 1,230 calories, 36 g protein, 159 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 54 g fat, 1,170 mg sodium

Day 5

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (7)

Breakfast (288 calories)

  • 1 serving Muesli with Raspberries

A.M. Snack (31 calories)

  • 1 plum

Lunch (337 calories)

  • 1 serving Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crunchy Chickpeas

P.M. Snack (62 calories)

  • 1 medium orange

Dinner (491 calories)

  • 2 generous cups
  • 1-inch-thick slice baguette

Meal-Prep Tip: Save 1 1/2 cups of the to have for lunch on Day 6.

Daily Totals: 1,209 calories, 83 g protein, 153 g carbohydrates, 37 g fiber, 36 g fat, 1,081 mg sodium

Day 6

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (8)

Breakfast (291 calories)

  • 1 serving Creamy Blueberry-Pecan Overnight Oatmeal

A.M. Snack (62 calories)

  • 1 medium orange

Lunch (248 calories)

  • 1 1/2 cups

P.M. Snack (129 calories)

  • 3 Tbsp. hummus
  • 2 medium carrots

Dinner (442 calories)

  • 1 serving
  • 1-inch-thick slice baguette

Daily Totals: 1,172 calories, 71 g protein, 159 g carbohydrates, 30 g fiber, 38 g fat, 1,633 mg sodium

Day 7

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (9)

Breakfast (252 calories)

  • 1 serving

A.M. Snack (94 calories)

  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • 1/4 cup whole-milk Greek Yogurt

Lunch (374 calories)

  • 1 serving

P.M. Snack (102 calories)

  • 2 Tbsp. hummus
  • 2 medium carrots

Dinner (397 calories)

  • 1 serving
  • 1-inch-thick slice baguette

Daily Totals: 1,219 calories, 69 g protein, 166 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 36 g fat, 1,927 mg sodium

7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories (2024)

FAQs

What is the fastest way to lose weight on the Mediterranean diet? ›

If you want to lose weight following a Mediterranean diet here are my 5 tips that work.
  1. Eat your main meal early in the day. ...
  2. Eat vegetables as a main course cooked in olive oil. ...
  3. You should drink water mostly and sometimes tea, coffee and wine (for adults) ...
  4. Consume the right amount of olive oil. ...
  5. Move.
Jan 17, 2024

How to lose belly fat on Mediterranean diet? ›

Choose Lean Proteins: Focus on fish and poultry over red meat. Include beans, nuts, and other plant-based proteins. Moderate Wine Intake: If you consume alcohol, switch to wine and drink in moderation. Stay Active: As the study suggests, coupling the diet with regular physical activity yields better results.

How many eggs per week on a Mediterranean diet? ›

Egg yolks. Egg yolks have saturated fats that can raise your cholesterol. Most healthy people can eat up to four to six egg yolks per week while following a Mediterranean diet, but to get some of the benefits of eggs without the negatives, stick to egg whites whenever you can.

How many pounds can you lose each week with Mediterranean diet? ›

This seven-day Mediterranean diet plan helps you practice those habits with help from good-for-you foods and delicious Mediterranean diet-inspired ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for a full week of healthy eating. At 1,200 calories you're on track to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

How can I lose 20lbs in 2 weeks? ›

How To Lose 20 Pounds In 2 Weeks: Locking Down Your Nutrition To Finally Chase Away Those Extra Pounds
  1. Make a commitment.
  2. Cut your caloric intake.
  3. Up your protein intake.
  4. Eat more fiber.
  5. Plenty of sleep.
  6. Avoid refined carbs.
  7. Increase the intensity of your workouts.
  8. Set a nightly food cutoff time.
Jan 16, 2024

What are 3 cons of the Mediterranean diet? ›

There may be health concerns with this eating style for some people, including:
  • You may gain weight from eating fats in olive oil and nuts.
  • You may have lower levels of iron. ...
  • You may have calcium loss from eating fewer dairy products.
Jul 30, 2022

What is the Mediterranean hack to lose weight? ›

Fruits and vegetables are also a big part of the Mediterranean diet, eaten at most if not all meals. Fruits and veggies pack in a lot of water and fiber and are low in calories, so you can eat basically as much as you want. Eating more vegetables can prevent weight gain or even lead to loss, research has shown.

How quickly can you lose weight on the Mediterranean diet? ›

The study found that the Mediterranean diet was more flexible and less restrictive in delivering desired weight loss results. In addition, one of the studies in the review found that participants lost an average of 8.7% of body weight on the Mediterranean diet after 12 months.

What is the Mediterranean weight loss secret? ›

The diet features simple, plant-based cooking, with the majority of each meal focused on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, with a few nuts and a heavy emphasis on extra-virgin olive oil.

How long does it take to see results from a Mediterranean diet? ›

If you're just starting to follow the Mediterranean diet, limited evidence suggests that you may notice some cognitive improvements — including in attention, alertness and contentment, according to one review of studies published in 2021 — within the first 10 days or so.

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