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The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners: The Complete Guide - 40 Delicious Recipes, 7-Day Diet Meal Plan, and 10 Tips for Success

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Learn to eat well, and live well, with this true beginner’s guide to the Mediterranean diet

Renowned for its health benefits, the Mediterranean diet promotes a cultural tradition that focuses on fresh, natural ingredients for every meal. The disease-fighting antioxidants and omega-3s found in the nutrient-rich foods central to the diet help

Heart healthWeight managementBone healthCognitive decline preventionReduction of stroke risk

The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners eases you into new eating habits with an overview of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, 40 introductory recipes, and a sample 7-day meal from a breakfast of crisp, refreshing melon and berries in a Summer Day Fruit Salad to the smoky flake and tangy creaminess of Dilly Baked Salmon for dinner with lightly sweet Homemade Biscotti to finish—and that’s just a single day!

Other diet cookbooks overwhelm beginners with too much information and too many recipes. The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners is the perfect mix of insight and recipes to start your journey to healthier living.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2013

2765 people are currently reading
1917 people want to read

About the author

John Chatham

66 books9 followers

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5 stars
523 (31%)
4 stars
503 (30%)
3 stars
428 (25%)
2 stars
123 (7%)
1 star
73 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Karen J.
610 reviews294 followers
March 23, 2019
The Mediterranean Diet is the #1 diet.

Very well written and very easy to follow. I’m looking forward to incorporating many of these very simple and delicious recipes.
Profile Image for Donna Craig.
1,116 reviews50 followers
May 23, 2021
This is a pretty good little book for what it is: a 71-page introduction to the Mediterranean diet with menu plan and recipes. I enjoyed the lists of tips for shopping and making meals. The book contains lots of information on health benefits, but that wasn’t anything new to me. I wanted something quick and easy to inspire me and arm me with some recipes. It doesn’t contain photos, though. 😕
Profile Image for Lady Heather .
1,312 reviews775 followers
January 23, 2020
Very informative and well explained

I enjoyed reading this cookbook.
The first two chapters presented the science behind the Mediterranean Diet, and the remaining chapters consisted of preparing for the diet (change of lifestyle), a general shopping list, and a basic meal plan.

This guide makes the Mediterranean Diet very appealing and the reader doesn't feel very constricted to a limited amount of food choices, but rather is presented with "healthier" choices.

A worth while read in my research of this change of lifestyle.
Profile Image for Ivonne Rovira.
2,555 reviews254 followers
January 29, 2024
What you’d rate this cookbook depends on who you are. If you’re a newbie, you’re in luck! This is a five-star read for you, as the book contains one of the best explanations of the Mediterranean diet that keep Southern Europeans so fit and long-lived.

If you’re further along in your knowledge, know that there aren’t many recipes, but they’re pretty good. Definitely four stars.
Profile Image for Nancy Carey.
1 review
January 6, 2019
Eye Opening Quick Read

Of you crave a lifestyle change to a basic level that is easy and very doable today, you will enjoy this quick read. Nothing new here, but lays it out in simple terms. This book is not a diet book, more of a wake up call.
11 reviews
August 14, 2013
Why have I never looked into this way of eating before? This book is easy and straight forward to read. The recipes are simple and easy to follow. The meal plan looks very doable. This is the way I like to eat and who doesn't like a way of eating that includes red wine. I have read so many different ways of approaching diet and always there is something I must overcome. I love everything about this plan, well except for maybe the sardines. I am sure this approach may not be a one size fits all but for this girl it is perfect.
Profile Image for SEANA WOMAC.
1 review
January 11, 2018
Good enough to eat

All the ingredients for healthy eating. Recipes look doable. All you need is motivation and a grocery list. Clearing the house of unhealthy foods may cause some anxiety to the clean your plate club, but it is necessary to be able to keep slip ups to a minimum. Manga!
8 reviews
December 1, 2025
I was surprised to love this little cookbook, especially because it has no pictures. I don’t usually read cookbooks, but I was feeling overwhelmed when my doctor recommended the Mediterranean diet. I didn’t know what it was or where to start. I enjoyed reading (and thoroughly bookmarked) the narrative section at the beginning because it was so calming and informative.
4 reviews
December 7, 2020
Quick read! Bought two copies one for each parent.

Keeping my kindle unlimited version in my library for the foreseeable future & going shopping today so I can get started!
Profile Image for Carol Burris.
156 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2021
I would have liked more information about serving sizes but otherwise it was a pretty good introduction.
Profile Image for Millie Russom.
259 reviews
January 27, 2015
Ok

I was hopingformore recipes but mostly it was just information on how to eat and tj e benefits from it.
Profile Image for Linda Hall.
211 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2024
Healthier Way to Eat

We tend to eat the foods we grew up eating but, maybe it's time to change our ways? Not surprising, I'm learning that there are many fruits and vegetables that I've never eaten and honestly, need to be shown how to prepare them! This book is a great learning tool! The only drawback for me is the fact that I need to take into account the need to avoid gluten and dairy! As I'm reading the recipes, I'm making those substitutes in my mind and wondering if they're workable? We shall see.........
Profile Image for Tina.
725 reviews6 followers
September 6, 2023
Mediterranean diet

Its by no means a complete guide but its a start some of the meal plans are simply wonderful. I always go to my local farmers market. I get some of the best prices on fruits, veggies and some meats. I would love to go to a fish market but sadly we have none nowhere near me. I Recommend this book for someone who is getting into the Mediterranean diet who wants to further their knowledge.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
634 reviews13 followers
January 19, 2020
I think I would be more inclined to try this if someone shopped and cooked for me. I think I would like some of the recipes and I will try them. I will also try to incorporate more of this philosophy in my diet but it is very different from how I eat now and I will have to make the changes gradually
643 reviews2 followers
November 30, 2021
Looks like some food recipes

Looks like some food recipes. I am actually going to try a few. A few didn't sound appealing to me but I lost weight by following a similar lifestyle and it is close to this. I gained some back and am looking for recipes to better aid in me keeping the weight off for life.
Profile Image for Amethyst Twilight.
63 reviews
December 19, 2023
This was the perfect book to help me get started on the Mediterranean diet. What I needed was a meal plan and some recipes and then I was all in. I recommend this book for anybody who has been contemplating the Mediterranean diet. Even if you don’t follow the meal plan, ingredient for ingredient, it’s a good template.
Profile Image for Learae.
19 reviews
January 8, 2024
Excellent introduction to the Mediterranean Diet

I am just beginning the Mediterranean Diet. This is the first book I have read that explained the diet in a way I could understand. The 7 day meal plan and recipes are an added bonus. The meal are made with readily available ingredients and look so delicious. I can't wait to get started tomorrow!
Profile Image for Christy Feldhaus.
5 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2018
Thought it was time to look into this.

Heard about this diet. I have very broad tastes. This was way to limiting in selection. The price was right for the download, but I doubt I will use this much.
3 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2019
Really thin on content

Not a great resource at all if looking for an understanding of the Mediterranean Diet and approach to food. Skims over the key physiological elements and could use some more thorough recipes.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,533 reviews15 followers
June 22, 2020
This one is not true Mediterranean as it has recipes with sugar and uses sugared yogurts instead of suggesting plain Greek yogurt. Overall some good ideas but not very detailed at all and some info is misleading imo.
Profile Image for Terrie Wiederich.
93 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2020
I checked this ebook out from my library and loved how simple the recipes are. I live alone, and complicated family size meals don’t work for me. I liked this book so much that I found it online and purchased it.
1 review
November 21, 2022
The reasons for eating healthy

I liked the reasons for eating a new way. I don't feel like I will be missing out on food or pleasure. It will help me get healthy and give me a good outlook.
170 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2024
This book was an excellent book as I am the ultimate beginner to the Mediterranean diet. It was informative, and the recipes provided are inspiring and delicious. Keep in mind I am one modifies the spices as well as add more vegetables to most recipes. Highly Recommend.
3 reviews
July 29, 2025
simple and easy to read

I read this whole book in less than an hour. Each recipe made me hungry to try it and I was able to create a shopping list for all the recipes as I read through the book. I’m ready to live the Mediterranean lifestyle- flavorful, friendly, and feasting!
Profile Image for cindy massey.
46 reviews
June 3, 2017
Mediterranean

This book was an easy read and the recipes are simple and not too hard to make. Great start for eating healthy
1 review
October 15, 2017
Quick lesson

Quick start on a healthier lifestyle. Easy to understand and easy recipes. Would recommend for new beginners. Enjoy and good luck .

Profile Image for Randolph Quebec.
2 reviews
January 7, 2018
Easy, Peasy

The book is an easy read and provides a great plan for starting this healthy program. I look forward to enjoying the meals.
Profile Image for Ashley Flynn.
494 reviews29 followers
February 27, 2018
Easy and quick read extolling the virtues of this way of eating. The majority of the recipes are ones I will try.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

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