Looking for a healthy and delicious gluten-free meal plan? Check out this FREE 7 Day Mediterranean diet meal plan!
You probably know I love the Mediterranean lifestyle and diet if you’ve followed The Spicy RD Blog for a while. This healthy anti-inflammatory diet is based on the traditional diet and eating habits of people who live in countries near the Mediterranean Sea.
In my opinion, it’s the best diet to try if you’re looking to discover the joy of eating again! A Mediterranean diet is also my first recommendation for anyone with Sjogren’s, like I have, or any autoimmune disease.
Health benefits of the Mediterranean diet
U.S. News and World Report ranked the Mediterranean diet as the best overall diet in 2022. Numerous studies have reported positive health benefits and lowered risk of chronic diseases associated with adherence to a Mediterranean diet, including:
- Heart health
- Reduced blood sugar levels & type 2 diabetes prevention.
- Cancer prevention.
- Lower cognitive decline & improved brain health (also check out the MIND diet for Alzheimer’s prevention)
- Decreased risk of depression (read more: Good Mood Food.)
- Weight management
You will also like The Best Gluten-Free Mediterranean Diet Recipes for Your Health, featuring a Mediterranean diet food list and 70+ Mediterranean diet-inspired recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, and desserts.
Your 7 Day Mediterranean Diet meal plan centers around high-fiber, nutrient-dense whole foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains featured in the Mediterranean region.
In addition, extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds provide heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. And quality lean proteins from dairy, poultry, and fish round out your Mediterranean diet plan.
This Mediterranean Diet 7 Day Meal Plan is a well-balanced diet created with four key nutrients in mind:
Monounsaturated Fats
Good-quality fats are associated with a lower risk of heart diseaseandcancer. This plan is rich in heart-healthy fats from olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds and lower in saturated fat, meats, and dairy products.Olive oilis the primary source of fat in a Mediterranean diet.
It contains tocopherols, polyphenols, and a balanced linoleic/alpha-linolenic acid profile, which benefits the immune system and inflammatory responses.
Note: If you are looking for high-polyphenol olive oils, I recommend AmphoraNueva Organic Tunisian Chetoui or Spanish Hojiblanca. If you are an APOE4 carrier, you may benefit from consuming high-polyphenol olive oil.
Omega-3 Fats
An important source of protein in a Mediterranean diet is fish. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish providecardiovascular benefitsandreduce inflammation. In addition, fish contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) associated with improvedcognitive function.
This Mediterranean diet meal plan incorporates salmon, trout, and tuna into several meals and snacks. In addition, plant-based sources of omega-3 fats, like walnuts, are included in your meal plan.
Fiber
Adequate dietary fiber intake has several health benefits, including betterdigestive health,lower blood pressure,weight loss, andreduced inflammation. Therefore, this meal plan provides ~ 35 grams of fiber daily from plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
In addition, soluble fiber found in oats, lentils, hummus, leafy greens, and apples is incorporated into the meal plan, as these foods may improve glycemic controlandlower blood cholesterol.
Antioxidants
Essential fat-solubleantioxidantslikevitamin Aandvitamin Esupport various cellular functions of our immune system, reduce oxidative stress in cells and are helpful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. This meal plan is packed with vitamin A sources like sweet potato, carrots, and salmon and incorporates vitamin E through a daily dose of healthy oils, nuts, and seeds.
These foods are paired with healthy fats to increaseabsorption. Antioxidant-rich dried and fresh herbs plus spices also star in this delicious Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan.
What’s NOT on your 7-day menu?
I don’t believe in strict rules when it comes to meal planning. However, your 7 Day Mediterranean Diet Meal plan is free of red meat, trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and excess sugar. Like me, if you have a sweet tooth, I’ve included one healthy treat each day. Wink, wink!
The plan is also gluten-free, but keep in mind that whole wheat and wheat derivatives like spelt, farro, and bulger, along with barley and rye, are traditional staples of the Mediterranean diet and can be enjoyed if you don’t need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Regarding beverages, stay away from sugar-sweetened drinks and fruit juice (limit to 8 ounces or less per day). Instead, enjoy still and sparkling water, coffee, and tea. If you consume alcohol, moderate amounts of red wine are part of the Mediterranean diet pyramid, which amounts to no more than two 5-ounce servings per day for men and one 5-ounce serving for women.
7 Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan
Check out all the super-duper yummy recipes included in your Mediterranean diet menu! Click the links for all the individual recipes. Or, scroll to the bottom of the post to download your printable meal plan with all the recipes and a shopping list.
Please note that if you want a sustainable weight loss plan, this Mediterranean Diet meal plan provides ~ 1660 calories daily. If weight loss is not your goal, you may need to add snacks or meals to increase calories.
Day One
- Breakfast: Rosemary Mushroom Lentil Avocado Toast
- Lunch: Lemony Kale Pasta Salad; Pistachio Nuts; Orange
- Dinner: Easy Air Fryer Falafel; Quinoa Greek Salad
- Snack/Dessert: Baklava Butter
Day Two
- Breakfast: Spiced Pomegranate Lemon Lassi; Veggie Baked Eggs with Pesto
- Lunch: Easy Lentil Salad with Kale, Cherry Tomatoes, Almonds, and Lemon Vinaigrette
- Dinner: Miso Maple Broiled Salmon; Greek Lemon Potatoes
- Snack/Dessert: No-Bake Cocoa Lemon Energy Bites
Day Three
- Breakfast: Chickpea Omelette with Asparagus; Blueberries
- Lunch: Chicken Salad with Lemon Garlic Tahini Dressing
- Dinner: Easy Shakshuka with Chickpeas
- Snack/Dessert: Baklava Butter
Day Four
- Breakfast: Pomegranate Kiwi Pecan Oatmeal
- Lunch:
- Dinner: Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs; Easy Greek Panzanella Salad
- Snack/Dessert: No-Bake Cocoa Lemon Energy Bites
Day Five
- Breakfast: Mediterranean Feta Cheese Quinoa Egg Muffins; Raspberries
- Lunch: Carrot, Hummus, & Arugula Wrap; Grapes & Walnuts
- Dinner: Walnut Crusted Salmon;
- Snack/Dessert: Baklava Butter
Day Six
- Breakfast: French Toast with Berry Chia Sauce
- Lunch: Healthy Grain Bowl; Cinnamon Green Smoothie
- Dinner: Easy Healthy Pasta with Crispy Rosemary Chickpeas
- Snack/Dessert: No-Bake Cocoa Lemon Energy Bites
Day Seven
- Breakfast: Mediterranean Breakfast Bowl
- Lunch: Spinach, Mozzarella, Tomato, and Chickpea Salad; Melon & Pecans
- Dinner: Pesto Chicken Stuffed Peppers; Apple
- Snack/Dessert: Baklava Butter
7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan Printable Pdf
Are you ready to start a healthy, sustainable, and delicious way of eating? Click the button below to download your FREE 7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan and shopping list!
Yes, please! Download the meal plan!
And wait! Before you go, if you love the meal plan, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, Delicious News, so you don’t miss out on any new recipes, meal plans, and integrative nutrition articles. Sign up here!
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EA Stewart
Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist
EA Stewart, MBA, RD is an integrative registered dietitian specializing in wellness nutrition, digestive health, autoimmune disease, brain health, and vibrant aging. She creates easy, plant-forward gluten-free recipes for a wide variety of diets including low FODMAP, Mediterranean, and more.
