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The Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks of 2024
It can be difficult to come up with daily meals that are balanced, nutritious, and delicious, especially with a larger family. The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest lifestyles in our modern world, full of fresh vegetables, grains, meats, and fruits. A Mediterranean Diet Cookbook offers you many different meals to make throughout the day with step-by-step instructions and even helpful tips to ensure your meal comes out just the way you want it to. Our team looked at many factors like clear instructions, meal variety, and versatility and determined "The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Two" to be the best cookbook option. Each meal is perfectly portioned for two people and all of the ingredients are always in-season, so you never have to worry about searching for substitutes.
Our Top Picks For Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks
View all ContentsThe Best Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks
Best Overall
“The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Two” is the perfect cookbook option to guide you through some delicious recipes for you and your loved one. The recipes are proportioned for two people, cutting down on your grocery bill and leftovers, and it focuses on meals made using fresh produce, posing various health benefits and acting as a perfect weight loss remedy. Plus, the carefully selected ingredient lists are present all year round, so you won’t be scratching your head trying to find your ingredients at the supermarket. Make salads or sauces, kebabs or hummus, all with a classic Mediterranean twist with the help of this cooking guide. With the quick prep times for each meal, you can try a new recipe every day to keep your taste buds tingling.
Pros
- Perfect proportions for two people
- Recipes use in-season produce
- Quick prep time for recipes
Cons
- Not recommended for large families
Beginner-Friendly
The “Serena Ball RD Mediterranean Diet Cookbook” focuses on creating mouth-watering meals that help you improve your heart health and cholesterol levels. These recipes are made from everyday ingredients in your pantry as well as healthy fats, so you can maintain weight and reduce the risk of heart diseases. It includes all types of recipes, including all three meals and even appetizers, so you have a complete range of options.
All the meals in this book are quick and convenient with an average cooking time of 30 minutes. We love how beginner-friendly this cookbook is and that there are over 100 recipes to enjoy!
Pros
- Easy and quick recipes
- Heart-healthy and low-cholesterol meals
- Contains a variety of recipes
Cons
- Not a lot of illustrations
Best for Weight Loss
If you’ve been struggling to lose some weight, you should definitely give “The Mediterranean Diet Weight Loss Solution” cookbook a try. This book contains a 28-day meal plan, equipped with around 100 recipes — something new for every meal. It explains the failings in an average American diet, along with the nutritional benefits of shifting to Mediterranean meals. You also get to read and learn various exercises to help you along the way. We like that this book has a habit tracker, allowing you to write down healthy habits you want to adopt for the next four weeks and tick them off every day as you succeed.
With easy-to-make recipes with convenient labels identifying the time required to cook them, you’ll always be organized in the kitchen.
Pros
- Recipes are great for weight loss
- Includes exercise tips
- Meals are quick and easy to make
Cons
- Limited pictures in the book
Best for Beginners
If you’re looking to venture out and try home-cooked Mediterranean meals, then you have to get “The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners” by Rockridge Press. This Mediterranean diet cookbook has 40 different recipes that are super easy to follow along with and prepare. Plus, the short prep times make it a breeze to try out a different recipe every day.
You also get a seven-day meal plan, so you don’t waste your time trying to come up with what, when, and how much to eat. The recipes are concise and to the point, which we think is perfect for a beginner of this culinary tradition. Read the book to learn all about the Mediterranean diet and convert it into a lifestyle rather than a mere recipe option. With various tips to assist you along the way, coupled with the use of healthy ingredients, you’ll be able to step up your culinary game in no time.
Pros
- Easy-to-follow recipes for beginners
- Includes a seven-day meal plan
- Includes various tips for a healthy lifestyle
Cons
- Lack of photographs of the recipes
Great for Lifestyle Change
“The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners,” written by the award-winning nutritionist Elena Paravante, contains a total of 100 cooking recipes to follow that are not only easy to cook, but are made with accessible ingredients available at your local supermarket.
This Mediterranean diet cookbook explains in detail how to source your ingredients, cook them, and how you can stick with the diet plan for days to come. You’re also given a 14-day meal plan, so you’re met with flavorful and filling recipes every day, carefully chosen by a professional.
From seafood to pasta, you’ll find an abundance of things to cook and learn. Plus, the cookbook focuses on how you can adopt the Mediterranean way of life with different tips and suggestions that aren’t only limited to the kitchen, but for other aspects of life as well.Pros
- Includes a two-week meal plan
- Recipes are easy to cook
- A variety of recipes
Cons
- Not good for people sensitive to wheat
Buying Guide: Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks
If you’re picky about your food, you don’t want to risk spending money on a cookbook that isn’t catered to your taste, resources, or skill-level. So how do you choose the perfect Mediterranean diet cookbook? Read on to view our buying guide explaining all you need to know to select a great Mediterranean cookbook.
Number of Recipes
Whenever you are picking out a Mediterranean diet cookbook, you need to find one that has ample recipes that can last you at least three weeks before you try the same dish again. The Mediterranean diet isn’t filled with fat, juicy steaks, and cheeseburgers, so if you’re transitioning to healthy meals, having a wide variety of dishes to try out will definitely help out. Generally, a book with at least 40 recipes will fare well in the kitchen.
Portion Size
Many Mediterranean diet cookbooks are catered toward small-sized portions, and when you try to upscale them, you’re left with an under or over-seasoned meal at the dinner table. Therefore, you should look for recipes that cater to different meal sizes, or get one that conforms to your specific requirements.
Ingredients
When it comes down to ingredients, you need to take into consideration whether the ingredients mentioned in the cookbook are accessible where you live. Cookbooks aren’t catered to people all over the globe, and there’s a high chance that herbs and fruits that are common in one region aren’t that common in another.
You should also make sure that the ingredients mentioned in the Mediterranean diet cookbook aren’t something you’re too sensitive of. If you’re lactose intolerant or allergic to wheat, then make sure to carefully read the cookbook’s description to understand the core ingredients used in the recipes.Cooking and Prep Time
No one likes waiting forever for their meal to finish cooking or to start a meal and realize too late that it will take longer than expected. That’s why it’s always a good idea to look for cookbooks that have a short prep and cooking time, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more at the dinner table.
The short cooking times also let you try new recipes without feeling stressed or lazy to cook. It’s a plus if your cookbook has labels indicating the cooking time, so it’s easier for you to scour through and find one that suits your available time.Book Layout
Often overlooked, having a cookbook with an eye-pleasing layout can make your life so much easier in the kitchen. Neatly arranged recipes in their specific categories, labels indicating each recipe type, and recipes differentiated by the time of the day they’re supposed to be eaten are some of the things you should look out for.
Pictures are also a great help since they give you a visual representation of the finished dish you’re aiming for. Plus, concise descriptions of the recipe laid out in a manner that is pleasant for your eyes and easy to follow while cooking is more beneficial than you might think.Foods To Avoid While on a Mediterranean Diet
A Mediterranean diet consists of lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts and olive oil, and a minimal amount of red meat. If you truly want to adopt the Mediterranean lifestyle, then there are a couple of foods and ingredients you need to stay away from. These include processed meats like hotdogs and sausages, along with heavily processed products like sodas and sugary beverages. Also, if you’re a fan of butter, then you may need to reconsider since a Mediterranean meal is made solely with healthy olive oil.
Healthy Snacks You Can Have on a Mediterranean Diet
Cutting down on processed foods isn’t easy, especially if you’re used to filling yourself up on snacks between meals. Well, luckily enough, the Mediterranean diet features a variety of nutritious yet delicious snack options that should definitely be tried out:
- You can eat baby carrots; try dipping them in some lovely hummus and enjoy.
- You can pair up a sweet fruit with cottage cheese, and you’ll be surprised by the delicious outcome. We recommend trying out plums or pineapples first.
- Missing the guacamole with your tacos? Well, grab some sliced bell peppers and dip them in guacamole.
- You can make a chocolate chia pudding and enjoy some earthy-chocolate flavors to boost your mood
People Also Asked
Is the Mediterranean diet good for my body?
Yes, a Mediterranean diet is an excellent anti-aging remedy and helps increase your lifespan by aiding in preventing cardiovascular diseases and introducing you to a healthy lifestyle.
Does the Mediterranean diet help with weight loss?
People have claimed to have significantly lost weight after opting to shift towards a Mediterranean diet. This is mainly due to the diet cutting down on processed and sugary foods and choosing nutritious, healthy, and low-calorie counterparts instead.
Are there any drawbacks of a Mediterranean diet?
Everything has its pros and cons, and so does a Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean meals are low on meat and dairy, which can be detrimental if your body is already deficient in iron or calcium. Therefore, always consult your nutritionist or doctor whenever opting for a diet change.
How do I know which cookbook to purchase?
Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks vary in meal variety, cooking and prep time, and portions. Choose a cookbook based on your preferences and the number of people you plan to serve.
Is it okay if my cookbook doesn't have pictures?
Generally, it is okay if your cookbook doesn't contain pictures. However, images can help you easily visualize how your meal will look and can make you more enticed to see the end result in your cooking.
