{"id":126873,"date":"2024-07-03T15:37:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T19:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=126873"},"modified":"2024-07-04T15:41:51","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T19:41:51","slug":"starting-a-mediterranean-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you starting a Mediterranean Diet? Where should you begin? How can you make the transition easier?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve been considering trying the Mediterranean Diet but don’t know where to start, the book The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners <\/em>is the perfect place. Switching to this diet may be easier than you think because it’s based on consuming fresh food, rather than strict portions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn how to begin eating like you’re in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Adopting the Mediterranean Lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting a Mediterranean Diet can lead to significant changes, and it’s essential to have practical advice for a smooth transition. Here’s what you should know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gradual Transition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Embracing the Mediterranean lifestyle requires a prepared mindset and changes to your environment. To make the transition easier, start by gradually weaning off unhealthy foods like fast food, processed items, and sodas. Slowly decrease your consumption of red meats, including beef, pork, and lamb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you begin meal preparation, ensure you have all the necessary components. Gather a variety of meal plans and confirm that you have the essential elements of a Mediterranean-inspired diet. Visit your local farmers’ markets for fresh produce and stock your pantry with vital basics like whole grain cereals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: The diet’s focus on fresh and unprocessed foods may be less accessible to people living in food deserts or those with limited financial resources.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keys to Success<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adopting a Mediterranean-inspired diet relies on several key elements that represent its core values<\/a>. First, highlight the communal and experiential aspects of dining. Enjoy your meals at a beautifully set table or in the refreshing outdoors. Plan your dining experiences in advance to savor your meals mindfully and without distractions, enhancing your enjoyment. Invite family and friends to join you, as dining together is an integral part of Mediterranean culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: The Mediterranean diet’s promotion of communal meals<\/a> may not be practical for individuals with busy schedules or those who live alone.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, engage in consistent, balanced physical activity. Physical activity is inherent to the Mediterranean way of life, so incorporate it into your daily routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, keep unhealthy foods out of easy reach to avoid temptation. Remove items like sugary sodas, sweetened coffee drinks, and various confections from your home. When entertaining guests, choose dishes inspired by the Mediterranean’s rich culinary heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dining Out vs. Cooking at Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re dining out or preparing meals at home, adopting Mediterranean culinary habits can be achieved with careful consideration. When eating at restaurants, choose establishments that specialize in Mediterranean cuisine and carefully evaluate their menu options. Opt for dishes prepared using healthier techniques like broiling, and choose salad dressings like vinaigrette. Be mindful of your portions and select fruit or sorbet for a healthier dessert option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In your own kitchen, create a cooking strategy, gather the necessary ingredients, and prepare Mediterranean-inspired meals. Develop a weekly meal plan to help you select both restaurant dishes and the appropriate ingredients for home-cooked meals. Explore local markets to discover new culinary elements and attractive deals. Approach the Mediterranean diet with enthusiasm and an open mind, ready to explore a variety of flavors and culinary innovations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you starting a Mediterranean Diet? Where should you begin? How can you make the transition easier? If you’ve been considering trying the Mediterranean Diet but don’t know where to start, the book The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners is the perfect place. Switching to this diet may be easier than you think because it’s based on consuming fresh food, rather than strict portions. Keep reading to learn how to begin eating like you’re in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":126874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[1538],"class_list":["post-126873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","tag-the-mediterranean-diet-for-beginners","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nStarting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you're thinking of starting a Mediterranean Diet, you may be intimidated. Here are some tips for beginners who want to eat healthier.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you're thinking of starting a Mediterranean Diet, you may be intimidated. Here are some tips for beginners who want to eat healthier.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Shortform Books\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-07-03T19:37:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-07-04T19:41:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wordpress.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1077\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"603\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Hannah Aster\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Hannah Aster\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Hannah Aster\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/f39f52830e4f7039a16e45d12354542f\"},\"headline\":\"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-07-03T19:37:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-07-04T19:41:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/\"},\"wordCount\":540,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp\",\"keywords\":[\"The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Food\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/\",\"name\":\"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners - Shortform Books\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-07-03T19:37:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-07-04T19:41:51+00:00\",\"description\":\"If you're thinking of starting a Mediterranean Diet, you may be intimidated. Here are some tips for beginners who want to eat healthier.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp\",\"width\":1077,\"height\":603,\"caption\":\"A cartoon representation of the Mediterranean diet on a windowsill\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Shortform Books\",\"description\":\"The World's Best Book Summaries\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Shortform Books\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/logo-equilateral-with-text-no-bg.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/logo-equilateral-with-text-no-bg.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":74,\"caption\":\"Shortform Books\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/f39f52830e4f7039a16e45d12354542f\",\"name\":\"Hannah Aster\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0302cb2690b70a21639bc6873e587f42d39d02385b7e59d8efd0d3e000ae7681?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0302cb2690b70a21639bc6873e587f42d39d02385b7e59d8efd0d3e000ae7681?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Hannah Aster\"},\"description\":\"Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.\",\"knowsAbout\":[\"Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing\"],\"jobTitle\":\"SEO Team Lead\",\"worksFor\":\"Shortform\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/author\/hannah\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners - Shortform Books","description":"If you're thinking of starting a Mediterranean Diet, you may be intimidated. Here are some tips for beginners who want to eat healthier.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners","og_description":"If you're thinking of starting a Mediterranean Diet, you may be intimidated. Here are some tips for beginners who want to eat healthier.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/","og_site_name":"Shortform Books","article_published_time":"2024-07-03T19:37:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-07-04T19:41:51+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1077,"height":603,"url":"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wordpress.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"Hannah Aster","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Hannah Aster","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/"},"author":{"name":"Hannah Aster","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/f39f52830e4f7039a16e45d12354542f"},"headline":"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners","datePublished":"2024-07-03T19:37:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-07-04T19:41:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/"},"wordCount":540,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp","keywords":["The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners"],"articleSection":["Food"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/","url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/","name":"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners - Shortform Books","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp","datePublished":"2024-07-03T19:37:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-07-04T19:41:51+00:00","description":"If you're thinking of starting a Mediterranean Diet, you may be intimidated. Here are some tips for beginners who want to eat healthier.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp","width":1077,"height":603,"caption":"A cartoon representation of the Mediterranean diet on a windowsill"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/starting-a-mediterranean-diet\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Starting a Mediterranean Diet? Here Are Tips for Beginners"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/","name":"Shortform Books","description":"The World's Best Book Summaries","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Shortform Books","url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/logo-equilateral-with-text-no-bg.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/logo-equilateral-with-text-no-bg.png","width":500,"height":74,"caption":"Shortform Books"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/f39f52830e4f7039a16e45d12354542f","name":"Hannah Aster","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0302cb2690b70a21639bc6873e587f42d39d02385b7e59d8efd0d3e000ae7681?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0302cb2690b70a21639bc6873e587f42d39d02385b7e59d8efd0d3e000ae7681?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Hannah Aster"},"description":"Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.","knowsAbout":["Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing"],"jobTitle":"SEO Team Lead","worksFor":"Shortform","url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/author\/hannah\/"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cartoon-mediterranean-diet.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126873"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":126953,"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126873\/revisions\/126953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}