7-Day Mediterranean-Diet Meal Plan for High Blood Pressure

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Though it's often symptomless, high blood pressure should be taken seriously. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases your risk of several conditions, including kidney and vision damage, heart disease and stroke.

Treatment for high blood pressure should include a coordinated effort with your health care provider, including regular blood pressure checks. However, there are changes to make at home that can play a role in improving your numbers. Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, cutting back on sodium and avoiding or limiting alcohol and smoking can all play a role in lowering your blood pressure.

In this meal plan, we map out a week of meals and snacks that incorporate the principles of the Mediterranean diet. You'll find heart-healthy foods like fish, nuts, seeds, legumes and fruits and vegetables. Plus, we limit the salt to no more than 1,500 milligrams per day, per the American Heart Association's recommendation. Though excess sodium is limited, this plan doesn't skimp on flavor. And each day includes at least 31 grams of heart-healthy and filling fiber, so you'll feel satisfied between each meal and snack.

Because weight loss can play a role in improving blood pressure, we set this plan at 1,500 calories per day, which is a level where many people will lose weight. For those with other calorie needs, we included modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories per day. This meal plan serves as a framework for a heart-healthy meal plan but doesn't need to be followed precisely. Modifications to fit your lifestyle are welcome!

Can the Mediterranean Diet Improve Your Heart Health?

Yes! The Mediterranean diet is consistently touted for its health benefits. This healthy way of eating is linked to improved heart health, sharper brains, reduced risk of developing diabetes, decreased inflammation and weight loss, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

In recent years, the Mediterranean diet has come under criticism for being too focused on the cuisines of countries like Italy, France, Spain and Greece, while leaving out other countries in this large region. In fact, the Mediterranean region spans three continents and includes 21 countries. The New Mediterranean Diet aims to take a more comprehensive approach to following the nutrition, food and cultural attributes of this region. This shift in viewpoint is welcome as it's more inclusive, diversifies the flavor profile and is a more accurate viewpoint of the Mediterranean region.

To follow the Mediterranean diet (and reap the health benefits), aim to include plenty of fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, and whole grains, as well as a wide variety of proteins, such as nuts, seeds, beans and lentils, and animal proteins. One principle of the Mediterranean diet includes cooking more meals at home, which helps reduce sodium intake by cutting back on processed foods. The Mediterranean diet is more lifestyle-focused than a traditional diet, so aiming to find enjoyment in meal preparation and flavors, sharing meals with others, increasing mindfulness and incorporating regular body movements are all components of this healthy lifestyle.

Mediterranean-Diet Foods to Focus On

This list briefly overviews some foods to include in the Mediterranean diet. It is not a comprehensive list.

• Fruits: Berries, pomegranates, peaches, pears, apples, plums, figs, cherries, apricots
• Vegetables: Dark leafy greens, tomato, okra, eggplant, squash, potato and sweet potato, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower
• Whole grains: Quinoa, oats, bulgur, freekeh, whole wheat, pasta, brown rice
• Unsaturated fats: Olive oil, olives, avocado and avocado oil
• Beans and lentils
• Nuts: Almonds, pecans, walnuts, natural nut butters (with no added sugar and limited sodium)
• Seeds: Chia, flax, pumpkin, sunflower
• Fish
• Eggs
• Dairy: Yogurt, kefir, cheese
• Poultry
• Red meat: Beef, pork, lamb
• Herbs and spices

Red meat is often limited when talking about a Mediterranean diet foods list. However, people in many countries in this region do consume red meat. In this eating pattern, no single food or food group is excluded. Instead, what and how we eat is the main focus. Aiming to cook more meals at home, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and having a diverse and healthy diet are some of the core principles of this plan.

How to Meal-Prep Your Week of Meals

1. Make Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats to have for breakfast on Days 2 through 4.
2. Prepare Padma Lakshmi's Tandoori Chicken Salad to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.
3. Whip up Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls to have as a snack throughout the week.

Day 1

Breakfast (332 calories)

• 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
• 1 medium orange

A.M. Snack (59 calories)

• 1 medium peach

Lunch (417 calories)

• 1 serving Green Goddess Sandwich
• 1 plum

P.M. Snack (172 calories)

• ½ cup unsalted dry-roasted pistachios (measured in shell)

Dinner (535 calories)

• 1 serving Grilled Salmon with Red Pepper Relish
• 1 serving Avocado & Corn Salad

Daily Totals: 1,514 calories, 82g fat, 14g saturated fat, 75g protein, 138g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,470mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit orange at breakfast, change P.M. snack to 1/4 cup blueberries, and substitute Kale Salad with Balsamic & Parmesan for the Avocado & Corn Salad at dinner.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 2 servings Avocado-Egg Toast at breakfast and add 1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to A.M. snack.

Day 2

Breakfast (384 calories)

• 1 serving Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats
• 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts

A.M. Snack (92 calories)

• 1 serving Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls
• ¼ cup blueberries

Lunch (339 calories)

• 1 serving Padma Lakshmi's Tandoori Chicken Salad
• 1 medium apple

P.M. Snack (246 calories)

• 1 large pear
• ⅓ cup unsalted dry-roasted pistachios (measured in shell)

Dinner (433 calories)

• 1 serving 20-Minute Grilled Honey-Mustard Chicken with Zucchini-Corn Relish
• 1 serving Baked-Feta Potatoes with Lemon

Daily Totals: 1,493 calories, 54g fat, 9g saturated fat, 87g protein, 181g carbohydrate, 36g fiber, 1,492mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit chopped walnuts at breakfast, apple at lunch and pistachios at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 1/4 cup chopped walnuts at breakfast, increase to 3 servings energy balls at A.M. snack, add 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to apple at lunch, and add 1 medium peach as evening snack.

Day 3

Breakfast (384 calories)

• 1 serving Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats
• 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts

A.M. Snack (212 calories)

• 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Lunch (339 calories)

• 1 serving Padma Lakshmi's Tandoori Chicken Salad
• 1 medium apple

P.M. Snack (154 calories)

• 20 unsalted dry-roasted almonds

Dinner (427 calories)

• 1 serving Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Almond Pesto & Butter Beans

Daily Totals: 1,515 calories, 70g fat, 8g saturated fat, 72g protein, 166g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 1,472mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit walnuts at breakfast, reduce to 1 energy ball at A.M. snack and change P.M. snack to 3/4 cup blueberries.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 1/4 cup chopped walnuts at breakfast, add 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch and add 1 serving Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Feta & Walnuts to dinner.

Day 4

Breakfast (384 calories)

• 1 serving Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats
• 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts

A.M. Snack (46 calories)

• ¾ cup blackberries

Lunch (339 calories)

• 1 serving Padma Lakshmi's Tandoori Chicken Salad
• 1 medium apple

P.M. Snack (212 calories)

• 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Dinner (535 calories)

• 1 serving Lemon-Tahini Couscous with Chicken & Vegetables

Daily Totals: 1,516 calories, 54g fat, 9g saturated fat, 95g protein, 175g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,404mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit walnuts at breakfast and apple at lunch and reduce to 1 energy ball at P.M. snack.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts at breakfast, add 1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds to A.M. snack, and add 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch.

Day 5

Breakfast (333 calories)

• 1 serving Really Green Smoothie

A.M. Snack (182 calories)

• 1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup raspberries

Lunch (339 calories)

• 1 serving Padma Lakshmi's Tandoori Chicken Salad
• 1 medium apple

P.M. Snack (200 calories)

• 1 cup edamame, in pods

Dinner (441 calories)

• 1 serving Sheet-Pan Portobello Fajitas

Daily Totals: 1,495 calories, 53g fat, 9g saturated fat, 88g protein, 179g carbohydrate, 43g fiber, 1,476mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Omit yogurt at A.M. snack and change P.M. snack to 1 medium peach.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts to A.M. snack, 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to lunch (with apple) and 1 medium peach to P.M. snack.

Day 6

Breakfast (333 calories)

• 1 serving Really Green Smoothie

A.M. Snack (212 calories)

• 3 servings Peanut Butter-Oat Energy Balls

Lunch (357 calories)

• 1 serving Chickpea Tuna Salad

P.M. Snack (172 calories)

• ½ cup unsalted dry-roasted pistachios (measured in shells)

Dinner (450 calories)

• 1 serving Beef Kofta with Bulgur & Kale Salad

Daily Totals: 1,523 calories, 78g fat, 17g saturated fat, 69g protein, 150g carbohydrate, 31g fiber, 1,411mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Reduce to 1 energy ball at A.M. snack and change P.M. snack to 1/3 cup sliced cucumber.

Make it 2,000 calories: Add 1 serving Peanut Butter-Banana Cinnamon Toast to breakfast, 1 medium apple to A.M. snack and 1 medium banana to P.M. snack.

Day 7

Breakfast (332 calories)

• 1 serving Avocado-Egg Toast
• 1 medium orange

A.M. Snack (131 calories)

• 1 large pear

Lunch (357 calories)

• 1 serving Chickpea Tuna Salad

P.M. Snack (200 calories)

• 1 cup edamame, in pods

Dinner (450 calories)

• 1 serving Pan-Seared Fish with Basil Oil & Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette
• 1 serving Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan & Lemon

Daily Totals: 1,478 calories, 76g fat, 13g saturated fat, 83g protein, 118g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 1,449mg sodium

Make it 1,200 calories: Change A.M. snack to 1 plum and change P.M. snack to 1/4 cup blueberries.

Make it 2,000 calories: Increase to 2 servings Avocado-Egg Toast at breakfast, add 1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds at A.M. snack, and add 1 medium peach to P.M. snack.