Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Summer: 1,200 Calories

The Mediterranean diet is seen as one of the healthiest ways to eat, with its emphasis on getting in plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean protein and healthy fats (especially the healthy omega-3 fats you find in salmon, nuts and olive oil). An added bonus: the Mediterranean diet also includes moderate amounts of red wine. It's an easy eating plan to follow, especially during the lush summer months when fruits and veggies are at their prime. Full of fresh, seasonal foods, this plan will help you create healthy and delicious meals all week long while sticking to 1,200 calories a day-a level at which most people will lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week. To keep things cool in your kitchen during the hot summer months, we made sure to include several grill-friendly options along with simple no-cook recipes.

Read More: 8 Ways to Follow the Mediterranean Diet for Better Health

Crunched for time? This plan has you covered with delicious meal-prep lunch ideas you can make ahead so they're ready to go during the busy week. Planning ahead and being efficient with food prep can allow you to relax and be more mindful around the table. Taking the time to unwind with others over a meal has its own health benefits too!

How to Meal Prep Your Week of Meals:

1. Make the Meal-Prep Vegan Moroccan Lettuce Wraps to have for lunch on Days 2 through 5.

2. To save time in the morning, prep the Blueberry-Banana Overnight Oats to have as grab-and-go breakfasts on Days 1 and 6.

Looking for more? Don't miss our 30-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan

Day 1

Looking for ways to stay cool in the hot summer months? To keep the stove turned off, try no-cook recipes like overnight oats, veggie-packed salads and the No-Cook Tomato Sauce in tonight's dinner. The vitamin C content of raw vegetables is higher than in cooked. Eating foods like spinach, broccoli or bell peppers raw means you'll get more of the health-boosting benefits vitamin C has to offer. Plus, these foods have a high water content, so they will help keep you hydrated in the warmer weather.

Breakfast (285 calories)

* 1 serving Blueberry-Banana Overnight Oats

A.M. Snack (32 calories)

* 1/2 cup raspberries

Lunch (350 calories)

* 1 serving Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches

P.M. Snack (58 calories)

• 2 medium carrots
• 1/2 cup sliced cucumber

Dinner (497 calories)

* 1 serving Spaghetti & Chicken Meatballs with No-Cook Tomato Sauce

Daily Totals: 1,220 calories, 52 g protein, 161 g carbohydrates, 31 g fiber, 47 g fat, 1,550 mg sodium

Day 2

Plant-based protein sources, like beans, chickpeas and lentils, are key ingredients in the Mediterranean diet. Low in saturated fats to help keep your heart healthy, and high in protein to keep you feeling satisfied after your meal, these plant-based foods also contain fiber, giving them a leg up on other lean proteins (like chicken and fish). Fiber has a slew of health benefits, from boosting gut health to better balancing blood sugars.Plus, by eating less meat you'll be cutting down on the greenhouse gas emissions that go into your food production. In many ways, keeping your body healthy and the planet healthy can overlap. Going meatless a few days a week is a great option to slash the carbon footprint of your plate.

Breakfast (259 calories)

* 1 serving Fig & Honey Yogurt

* 1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Top Fig & Honey Yogurt with chia seeds.

A.M. Snack (62 calories)

* 1 medium orange

Lunch (425 calories)

* 1 serving Meal-Prep Vegan Moroccan Lettuce Wraps

P.M. Snack (92 calories)

* 7 walnut halves

Dinner (373 calories)

* 1 serving Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce

Daily Totals: 1,211 calories, 41 g protein, 161 g carbohydrates, 34 g fiber, 51 g fat, 1,305 mg sodium

Day 3

When people hear Mediterranean diet, they often think of Italian, Spanish or French cuisine. However, the principles of the Mediterranean diet can be applied to any type of cuisine. You can turn any meal into a nutrition-packed "Mediterranean" option by filling up most of your plate with vegetables and fruits, adding in hearty whole grains, a healthy protein source and a mix of calcium-rich dairy items and heart-healthy fats. Tonight's Summer Vegetable Sesame Noodles recipe is a great example of how to follow the principles of the Mediterranean diet while exploring other cuisines.

Breakfast (259 calories)

* 1 serving Fig & Honey Yogurt

* 1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Top Fig & Honey Yogurt with chia seeds.

A.M. Snack (32 calories)

* 1/2 cup raspberries

Lunch (425 calories)

* 1 serving Meal-Prep Vegan Moroccan Lettuce Wraps

P.M. Snack (116 calories)

* 15 almonds

Dinner (387 calories)

* 1 serving Summer Vegetable Sesame Noodles

Daily Totals: 1,219 calories, 45 g protein, 166 g carbohydrates, 32 g fiber, 49 g fat, 1,300 mg sodium

Day 4

The busy summer months bring barbecues, vacations, kids' camps and more. Needless to say, time is valuable. Nothing saves time and money like meal prepping for the week ahead. While meal prepping does take some commitment, the time you spend up front prepping is less than what you'd spend making meals before or after busy workdays. And by having your lunch all ready to go, you won't need to rely on expensive takeout. The meal-prep lunch recipe in this plan is a great example of how a healthy lunch can still be unique and tasty. In the Meal-Prep Vegan Moroccan Lettuce Wraps recipe, herbs and spices help boost the flavor of the bean-and-veggie filling without the need for too much salt.

Breakfast (272 calories)

* 1 serving Ricotta & Yogurt Parfait

A.M. Snack (62 calories)

* 1 medium orange

Lunch (425 calories)

* 1 serving Meal-Prep Vegan Moroccan Lettuce Wraps

P.M. Snack (16 calories)

* 1 cup sliced cucumber

Dinner (449 calories)

* 1 serving Charred Eggplant & Tomato Pasta

Daily Totals: 1,222 calories, 51 g protein, 156 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 49 g fat, 1,065 mg sodium

Day 5

Fiber gets a lot of props when it comes to weight loss and gut health, and for good reason. High-fiber foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, help to fill you up and keep you satisfied while you're eating fewer calories to lose weight. At the same time, fiber acts as food for the health-promoting bacteria in our gut. For these reasons, it's important to work fiber into your day in several ways. The fiber in today's meals and snacks comes mostly from the chia seeds, raspberries and the medley of beans in the Meal-Prep Vegan Moroccan Lettuce Wraps. Use this meal plan as inspiration to get creative about adding fiber to your days.

Breakfast (259 calories)

* 1 serving Fig & Honey Yogurt

* 1 Tbsp. chia seeds

A.M. Snack (64 calories)

* 1 cup raspberries

Lunch (425 calories)

* 1 serving Meal-Prep Vegan Moroccan Lettuce Wraps

P.M. Snack (66 calories)

• 2 medium carrots
• 1 cup sliced cucumber

Dinner (369 calories)

* 1 serving Salmon with Curried Yogurt & Cucumber Salad

* 1/2 cup cooked quinoa

Meal Prep Tip: Make the Blueberry-Banana Overnight Oats tonight so your breakfast is ready to grab-and-go tomorrow morning.

Daily Totals: 1,183 calories, 62 g protein, 148 g carbohydrates, 35 g fiber, 42 g fat, 1,148 mg sodium

Day 6

Summer is a great time for dinner parties and get-togethers with friends over tasty eats. To prevent things from getting overwhelming, plan to stick to a menu that's simple and easy to prep. A taco bar is a sure win-who doesn't like tacos?! Not only does it create a colorful centerpiece for your gathering, but it can also be healthy when you set out lots of veggies for toppings. Plus, a taco bar allows guests to make their plate their way without extra work for the host. With a whole-grain tortilla and lean-protein filling, you can't go wrong. Additionally, salsas and spreads with a citrus base (think: lime or lemon juice) store well in the refrigerator for delicious day-after leftovers.

Breakfast (285 calories)

* 1 serving Blueberry-Banana Overnight Oats

A.M. Snack (62 calories)

* 1 medium orange

Lunch (350 calories)

* 1 serving Avocado Egg Salad Sandwiches

P.M. Snack (124 calories)

• 7 walnut halves
• 1/2 cup raspberries

Dinner (337 calories)

* 1 serving Chipotle Skirt Steak Tacos with Smoky Tomatillo Salsa

Evening Snack (63 calories)

* 2 cups air-popped popcorn

Daily Totals: 1,219 calories, 48 g protein, 153 g carbohydrates, 30 g fiber, 51 g fat, 1,289 mg sodium

Day 7

The colors of fruits and vegetables represent the phytochemicals they contain. Blue and purple vegetables contain anthocyanins, and red and orange vegetables contain carotenoids. These phytochemicals work as antioxidants in the body, helping to combat inflammation and protecting against chronic disease. To get the most phytochemical potential out of your foods, you want to be eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and veggies. The Mediterranean diet makes it easy to get your fill, with its emphasis on incorporating plenty of plant-based foods each day.

Breakfast (342 calories)

* 1 serving Ricotta & Yogurt Parfait

* 1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Top Ricotta & Yogurt Parfait with chia seeds.

A.M. Snack (62 calories)

* 1 medium orange

Lunch (286 calories)

* 1 serving Roasted Bell Pepper Salad with Mozzarella & Basil

* 1/2 whole-wheat pita (6-inch)

P.M. Snack (58 calories)

• 2 medium carrots
• 1/2 cup sliced cucumber

Dinner (435 calories)

* 1 serving Mojito-Marinated Chicken Kebabs

* 1/2 cup cooked quinoa

Evening Snack (32 calories)

* 1/2 cup raspberries

Daily Totals: 1,214 calories, 83 g protein, 129 g carbohydrates, 31 g fiber, 42 g fat, 1,117 mg sodium

WATCH: Why is the Mediterranean Diet So Healthy

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