Meal Plans Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans 7-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for a Healthy Gut, Created by a Dietitian You'll be amazed at how deliciously you can support your gut health! By Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H, RD, is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian who has worked in all facets of the food world. She is a recipe developer, culinary nutritionist and marketing specialist with more than 15 years of experience creating editorial and digital content for top food and kitchen brands. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 20, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia Maria Laura is EatingWell's senior nutrition & news editor. As part of the nutrition team, she edits and assigns nutrition-related content and provides nutrition reviews for articles. Maria Laura is a trained dietitian, almond butter lover and food enthusiast with over seven years of experience in nutrition counseling. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines In This Article View All In This Article Foods to Focus On How to Meal-Prep Your Week Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: EatingWell Over the past few years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Mediterranean diet as the best overall diet. Additionally, in 2024, the Mediterranean diet took the top spot for the best diet for bone and joint health, the best family-friendly diet, the easiest diet to follow, the best heart-healthy diet and the best diet for healthy eating. The tenets of the Mediterranean diet are simple: eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fatty fish and whole grains while eating less saturated fat and added sugar. Research shows that following this diet reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Having a healthy gut microbiome also has many of these same benefits. Data has shown that in addition to helping with constipation and digestion, good gut bacteria may help improve mood, sleep and heart health. Furthermore, both a healthy microbiome and the Mediterranean diet are associated with helping maintain a healthy weight. To help you increase your good gut bacteria and get the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, we created this seven-day meal plan filled with foods that follow both diets. Additionally, we set this meal plan at 1,500 calories, a level at which most people will lose weight, but adjustments for 1,200 and 2,000 calories are also listed if you require more or fewer calories. Feel free to modify it to fit your calorie needs. Foods to Focus On Contrary to what you might believe, you don’t need to eat the Mediterranean region’s traditional foods when following the Mediterranean diet. Foods within these groups can fit this diet. Mediterranean Diet Foods Herbs and spicesFruitsVegetablesHealthy fats, such as olive oil or avocado oilNuts, including natural nut buttersSeeds (chia, pumpkin, flax and more)FishEggsMeatPoultryLegumes (chickpeas, pinto beans, lentils and more)Dairy, including cheese, yogurt and kefirWhole grains (bulgur, farro, fonio, freekeh, couscous, rice and more) Gut-Healthy Foods Probiotics are foods that contain healthy gut bacteria, while prebiotics are foods that feed good gut bacteria. These foods are naturally high in each but are not limited to only these lists. Probiotic-Rich Foods: YogurtKefirMisoSauerkrautKimchiTempehKombucha Prebiotic-Rich Foods: GarlicLeeks, especially the green partAsparagusArtichokesBananasSeaweedJerusalem artichokesDandelion greensSoybeansMushroomsOats How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals: Bake Banana Protein Muffins to have for breakfast on Days 2 and 3, and for snack on Day 4. On the evening of Day 3, prepare two servings of Creamy Blueberry-Pecan Overnight Oatmeal for breakfast on Days 4 and 5. Make Everything Bagel Crispy Chickpeas for snack on Days 6 and 7. Day 1 Breakfast (249 calories) 1 serving Raspberry-Kefir Power Smoothie A.M. Snack (211 calories) ¾ cup blueberries3 tablespoons unsalted roasted cashews Lunch (439 calories) 1 serving Tomato-&-Avocado Cheese Sandwich P.M. Snack (163 calories) 2 tablespoons hummus1 cup sliced cucumbers2 tablespoons walnut halves Dinner (429 calories) 1 serving Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls Meal-Prep Tip: Save a serving of the Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls for lunch tomorrow. Daily Totals: 1,491 calories, 67 g protein, 168 g carbohydrates, 29 g fiber, 70 g fat, 1,397 mg sodium Make it 1,200 calories: Omit cashews at A.M. snack and omit hummus and walnuts at P.M. snack. Make it 2,000 calories: Add 2 hard-boiled eggs to breakfast, increase to 1 cup blueberries and ⅓ cup cashews at A.M. snack, increase to ¼ cup hummus and ¼ cup walnuts at P.M. snack, and add 2 servings Creamy Dill Yogurt Sauce to dinner. Day 2 Breakfast (254 calories) 1 serving Banana Protein Muffins 1 orange A.M. Snack (208 calories) 1 serving Fig & Honey Yogurt Lunch (429 calories) 1 serving leftover Charred Shrimp, Pesto & Quinoa Bowls P.M. Snack (101 calories) 1 medium pear Dinner (504 calories) 1 serving Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli Daily Totals: 1,496 calories, 81 g protein, 177 g carbohydrates, 27 g fiber, 58 g fat, 1,533 mg sodium Make it 1,200 calories: Omit orange at breakfast, swap A.M. snack for 1 cup air-popped popcorn, and reduce to ½ pear at P.M. snack. Make it 2,000 calories: Add 2 hard-boiled eggs to breakfast, add ¼ cup slivered almonds to A.M. snack, and add 2 ounces low-fat Cheddar cheese to P.M. snack. Day 3 Brie Passano Breakfast (373 calories) 2 servings Banana Protein Muffins 1 cup plain kefir 2 clementines A.M. Snack (173 calories) 1 cup raspberries1 ounce low-fat Cheddar cheese3 tablespoons shelled pistachios Lunch (353 calories) 1 serving Cucumber-Chicken Green Goddess Wrap P.M. Snack (200 calories) 1 cup edamame in pods Dinner (408 calories) 1 serving Kielbasa-&-Swiss Spaghetti Squash Casserole 1 slice (1 oz.) whole-wheat baguette 1 cup steamed broccoli with 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil Daily Totals: 1,506 calories, 84 g protein, 164 g carbohydrates, 41 g fiber, 64 g fat, 1,916 mg sodium Make it 1,200 calories: Omit clementines and reduce to ½ cup kefir at breakfast, reduce to ½ cup edamame at P.M. snack, and omit baguette at dinner. Make it 2,000 calories: Add 2 scrambled eggs to breakfast, increase to 1½ cups raspberries at A.M. snack, add 2 servings Creamy Dill Yogurt Sauce to lunch, increase to 2 cups edamame at P.M. snack, and increase to 2 slices baguette at dinner. Day 4 Jennifer Causey Breakfast (291 calories) 1 serving Creamy Blueberry-Pecan Overnight Oatmeal A.M. Snack (176 calories) 1 medium apple2 tablespoons walnut halves Lunch (430 calories) 1 serving Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna P.M. Snack (193 calories) 1 Banana Protein Muffin Dinner (411 calories) 1 serving Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Olives 3 ounces cooked chicken Meal-Prep Tip: Save a serving of the Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Olives for lunch tomorrow. Daily Totals: 1,501 calories, 80 g protein, 162 g carbohydrates, 26 g fiber, 63 g fat, 1,394 mg sodium Make it 1,200 calories: Reduce to 1 tablespoon walnuts at A.M. snack, omit chicken at dinner and swap P.M. snack for 1 small banana. Make it 2,000 calories: Add 2 tablespoons peanut butter to breakfast, increase to ¼ cup walnuts at A.M. snack, add 1 ounce dark chocolate to P.M. snack, and increase to 4 ounces chicken at dinner. Day 5 Breakfast (291 calories) 1 serving Creamy Blueberry-Pecan Overnight Oatmeal A.M. Snack (210 calories) 1 medium banana1 tablespoon peanut butter Lunch (368 calories) 1 serving Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Olives 4 ounces canned tuna P.M. Snack (206 calories) ¼ cup unsalted roasted almonds Dinner (414 calories) 1 serving BBQ Shrimp with Garlicky Kale & Parmesan-Herb Couscous Daily Totals: 1,489 calories, 86 g protein, 147 g carbohydrates, 24 g fiber, 67 g fat, 1,580 mg sodium Make it 1,200 calories: Omit peanut butter at A.M. snack and swap P.M. snack for ½ small pear. Make it 2,000 calories: Add 2 tablespoons peanut butter to breakfast, add ½ whole-wheat pita to lunch, increase to 5 tablespoons almonds at P.M. snack, and add 1 ounce dark chocolate to dinner. Day 6 Breakfast (311 calories) 1 serving Broccoli & Cheese Omelet ½ whole-wheat English muffin A.M. Snack (301 calories) 1 large pear22 unsalted roasted almonds Lunch (333 calories) 1 serving Gochujang-Glazed Tempeh & Brown Rice Bowls P.M. Snack (220 calories) 1 serving Everything-Bagel Crispy Chickpeas Dinner (330 calories) 1 serving Green Shakshuka with Spinach, Chard & Feta ½ whole-wheat pita Daily Totals: 1,494 calories, 63 g protein, 168 g carbohydrates, 24 g fiber, 68 g fat, 2,384 mg sodium Make it 1,200 calories: Omit English muffin at breakfast, omit almonds at A.M. snack, and reduce to ¼ pita at dinner. Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 1 whole English muffin at breakfast, add ½ cup kimchi and 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts to lunch, increase to 2 servings chickpeas at P.M. snack, and increase to 1 whole pita at dinner. Day 7 Jen Causey Breakfast (296 calories) 1 serving Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries A.M. Snack (121 calories) ¾ cup low-fat plain kefir1 teaspoon chia seeds1 teaspoon honey Lunch (488 calories) 1 serving Crispy Smoked Tofu & Coleslaw Wraps P.M. Snack (220 calories) 1 serving Everything-Bagel Crispy Chickpeas Dinner (383 calories) 1 serving Easy Miso-Chicken Ramen Daily Totals: 1,508 calories, 77 g protein, 141 g carbohydrates, 25 g fiber, 66 g fat, 2,473 mg sodium Make it 1,200 calories: Omit honey and chia seeds from A.M. snack and reduce to ¼ cup kefir and swap P.M. snack for ½ cup air-popped popcorn. Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 large banana to breakfast, increase to 1 cup kefir, 2 teaspoons chia seeds and 2 teaspoons honey at A.M. snack, increase to 2 servings chickpeas at P.M. snack and add 1 hard-boiled egg to dinner. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. Lăcătușu C-M, Grigorescu E-D, Floria M, Onofriescu A, Mihai B-M. The Mediterranean diet: From an environment-driven food culture to an emerging medical prescription. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019;16(6):942. doi:10.3390/ijerph16060942 Vijay A, Valdes AM. Role of the gut microbiome in chronic diseases: A narrative review. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2021;76(4):489-501. doi:10.1038/s41430-021-00991-6 Lotfi K, Saneei P, Hajhashemy Z, Esmaillzadeh A. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, five-year weight change, and risk of overweight and obesity: A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Advances in Nutrition. 2022;13(1):152-166. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab092 Koutoukidis DA, Jebb SA, Zimmerman M, et al. The association of weight loss with changes in the gut microbiota diversity, composition, and intestinal permeability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gut Microbes. 2022;14(1). doi:10.1080/19490976.2021.2020068