Although this plant-based diet devotes the largest portion of a plate to fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, healthy fats, like those you get from olive oil and nuts, lean animal proteins, and red wine also take key roles.
The important role of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet
Olive oil is the magic elixir of the Mediterranean diet. Although Western diets feature hydrogenated oils and saturated fats from animal sources, olive oil — the staple of Mediterranean cuisine — is rich in plant-based monounsaturated fatty acids that are chockfull of heart health benefits. Making the swap to a Mediterranean-based diet and incorporating olive oil can improve your health without compromising on flavor that other fat sources add to your meals.
Types of olive oils and how to use them
All olive oil is not created equal. Many factors impact the oil’s taste, color, and aroma, resulting in hundreds of different varieties: type of olive; growing conditions (location, soil, environment, and weather) of the olive tree; how and when the olives were harvested and how much time passed between harvest and pressing; and the method by which olives are pressed, stored, and packaged for sale. All the different varieties fall into the following general categories:
-
Extra-virgin olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is the finest of the oils with the least acidity (no more than 1 percent acidity), and they can be a pale yellow to bright green color. The deeper the golden color, the more intense the fruity flavor.
Because of its superior flavor and aroma, use this oil as a dip for bread, over salads, or as a condiment in uncooked dishes.
When purchasing extra virgin olive oil, choose a bottle with dark glass and store it in a cool, dry place. Doing so helps prevent oxidation of the oil, which alters its chemical composition, and optimizes its shelf-life.
-
Fino (fine) oils: Fine oil is usually a combination of extra virgin and virgin olive oils, and its level can’t exceed 1.5 percent. This kind of oil is good for both cooking and using straight up.
-
Virgin: The virgin oils have acidity levels between 1 and 3 percent and have enough flavor to be enjoyed uncooked but are typically used in cooking.
-
Light oil: The “light” designation doesn’t refer to the oil’s fat content; it refers to its lighter color and flavoring. Light olive oil has the same amount of calories and fat as any of the oils but has undergone filtration after the first press to remove most of the flavor and coloring, making light oil a good choice to use for baking and cooking when the olive oil flavoring isn’t desirable.
-
Refined oils: When heat and chemical processes come into play to refine oils further, they lose the title virgin. This extra processing can happen if virgin oils have too high an acidity, poor flavor, or poor aroma. Processing into refined oils renders them flavorless, odorless, and colorless, which gives them a longer shelf-life. Use refined oils in combination with virgin olive oils when cooking.
Getting the correct amount of olive oil in your diet
On the Mediterranean diet, about 30-40 percent of your calories come from fat, including olive oil and other sources like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and avocado, to name a few. The following table gives you an example of how many fat grams you should eat daily, based on the total number of calories you consume per day. The amount of fat grams from olive oil equate to about half of your fat needs.
How Much Olive Oil Should You Consume?
| Calories Per Day | Total Grams of Fat Per Day | Suggested Amount of Fat Grams from Olive Oil |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 | 58 | 28 grams (2 tablespoons) |
| 1,800 | 70 | 35 grams (2–3 tablespoons) |
| 2,100 | 82 | 42 grams (3 tablespoons) |
| 2,400 | 93 | 49 grams (3–4 tablespoons) |
Although you need a certain amount of fat in your diet, getting too much contributes excess calories. And when you’re eating more calories than your body needs or can use for energy, those calories can get stored as fat.
Making infused olive oil
Herb or spice-infused olive oils typically carry a hefty price tag. Why not make your own at home to add a more robust flavor to your meals? Choose whatever fresh or dried herbs and spices you like, such as basil and garlic, or rosemary and red pepper, and then follow these steps:
-
Wash and pat any fresh herbs dry; then combine then with any other spices or dried herbs you want to include.
-
Pour the oil into a saucepan and warm over low heat.
-
As the oil warms, place the herb-and-spice mixture into a decorative bottle. Pour the warm oil over them and cover with a tight lid.
-
Place the bottle in a cool, dark place for a week.
If you are using garlic, store the bottle in the refrigerator to prevent food-borne illness.
-
Strain the oil, removing and discarding the herbs and spices.
Use the olive oil within one week. If you notice the oil begins to change color, discard immediately.
Serving sizes of fruits, vegetables, and nuts in the Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet. The largest portion of meals in the Mediterranean is devoted to vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. In fact, if you adopt a Mediterranean style of eating, your daily servings of fruits and vegetables will increase to between seven and ten servings a day. And while many diets eschew nuts, the healthy fats in nuts make them a popular component of Mediterranean cuisine.
As you modify your eating habits to incorporate more of these plant-based foods, you’ll want to know what a serving size is so that you can make sure you get what you need, without — as is the case with nuts, which are also calorie dense — getting too much.
Gauging serving sizes for fruits and vegetables
At every single meal and snack, choose at least a serving or two (or three!) of a fruit or vegetable. Do so not only for the nutrients and the taste, but also to help round out every meal and keep you satisfied with fiber.
What is a serving?
| Food | Serving Size |
|---|---|
| Fresh fruit | ½ cup |
| Dried fruit | ¼ cup |
| Raw vegetables | 1 cup |
| Cooked vegetables | ½ cup |
If you don’t want to measure the amounts or remember these quantities, simply aim for 2 to 3 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of veggies every day.
Packing a lot of nutrition with nuts
Nuts and seeds are nutrient-dense: They give you a lot of nutrition in a small package. Although that is positive in many regards, it can also backfire if you don’t keep your portions in check. When eating nuts and seeds, stick to one ounce per day, every day. The following table shows what an ounce of some favorite varieties gives you quantity-wise.
Quantities, Calories, and Fat Grams per Ounce of Nuts and Seeds
| Nut | Quantity | Calories | Fat (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pistachios | 49 kernels | 160 | 13 |
| Almond | 23 nuts | 160 | 14 |
| Sesame seeds | 2 tablespoons | 160 | 14 |
| Hazelnuts | 21 kernels | 178 | 17 |
| Walnuts | 14 halves | 185 | 18.5 |
| Pine nuts | 167 kernels | 190 | 19 |
Source: Based on the USDA Nutrient Database
Instead of eating directly out of a large container or mindlessly pouring nuts or seeds into a recipe, always portion out a serving.
Choosing red wines for your Mediterranean meal
The Mediterranean diet is not a “diet” in the commonly accepted definition of the word; it’s really a lifestyle. And nothing epitomizes that more than the fact that wine has its place in the standard Mediterranean food pyramid. It’s true wine can have health benefits, but it also characterizes the Mediterranean way of life as one that values good food, good drink and relaxing meals. Use this guide to select the wines to pair with your Mediterranean meals.
Choosing Red Wines
| Wine | Taste | Pair It With |
|---|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Dry, medium- to full-bodied, with flavors of plum, blackberry, vanilla, and tobacco |
Lean red meat, pastas, or a square of dark chocolate |
| Chianti | Dry, medium-bodied, with flavors of cherry and roses | All Italian foods, tomato-based pasta, Parmesan cheese, and lean chicken or beef |
| Merlot | Dry, medium-bodied, with flavors of plum, black cherry, spice, and chocolate |
Poultry, lean red meats, pastas, and salad |
| Pinot Noir | Dry, light- to medium-bodied, with flavors of cherry, blackberry, strawberry, cinnamon, and clove |
Poultry, fish, and vegetables; also offers a good balance to heavier dishes |
| White Zinfandel (Rosé) | Sweet and light, with flavors of berry, citrus, and vanilla |
Both mild and spicier dishes, fruit, fish, and lean meats |
Sample grocery list for Mediterranean diet foods
If you stock your kitchen well, you’ll set yourself up for success on the Mediterranean diet. Use this sample list for inspiration! You may also download the list here.
