There is a lot of good to be said about the Mediterranean Diet, which is considered to be one of the world’s healthiest diets. The benefits of the Mediterranean Diet including weight loss, and prevention of type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.

Based on the foods that were traditionally eaten by people in countries such as Greece and Italy in the 1960s, Healthline notes that compared to Americans, these individuals were much healthier overall. The reason, it has been reported, is because of the foods that they eat, and the basics include plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, seafood, herbs and spices, and extra virgin olive oil. Poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt, are eaten in moderation, while red meat is rarely eaten.

We also know that sugars, carbonated beverages, and processed food are not good for our health, and these are not eaten in a Mediterranean Diet. That means that added sugars, refined grains and oils, and trans fats are not eaten.

If this is not a part of your lifestyle already, then it may take some research to find the right foods to eat, and what to avoid when adopting this heart-healthy diet. But the good news is there are plenty of recipes to inspire and get you adapted to this way of eating.

Among these recipes is Eating Well’s Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon, which sounds mouth-wateringly good. This recipe makes use of salmon, which is a fantastic source of Omega 3s, but also walnuts, which are considered to be high in antioxidants, can promote a healthy gut and can help decrease inflammation (among other things). The recipe has been highly rated by those who have tried it and can be found here.

A Mediterranean Bowl is another fantastic meal packed with goodness, and according to Shape, it’s perfect for the colder months. The recipe was featured on the blog, Minimalist Baker, and is a delicious mixture of vegetables, olives, falafels, hummus, and tahini sauce. The full recipe can be found here.

Another recipe recommended by Shape is the Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken, which as the name suggests, is a tender chicken coated in spices, olives, onions, and red peppers, and cooked in a slow cooker. This tasty (and pretty easy to create) dish can be found on the Creme De La Crumb website.

Last, but certainly not least, we bring you the recipe for Grilled Whole Mediterranean Fish, which requires medium skill and 25 minutes prep time. The recipe was featured on Food Network and includes fresh fish that is scaled and gutted, and prepared with sea salt, pepper, and olive oil. Other ingredients include orange slices, parsley, and a mixture of herbs. The fish is accompanied by a Sherry Vinegar-Tarragon Vinaigrette.

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