Mediterranean Diet Recipes for Weight Loss

I have lost 50 pounds eating the Mediterranean Diet. So, I want to share with you some of my favorite Mediterranean Diet recipes for weight loss and also tell you a bit of my story and what I have learned about losing weight.

Before I started eating Mediterranean, I was a very unhealthy, stressed-out, and obese dietitian who was not following his own advice on healthy living. After my mom passed away in 2010, I started stuffing my grief down with lots of food.  Sometimes, it was healthy, but often it wasn’t and it was always too much of everything. 

I would lead a healthy cooking workshop and then eat at McDonald’s on the way home. I started a website called Confessions of an Overweight Dietitian. The contradictions of my life were making me very unhappy and my physical and mental health was taking a toll.  

I had horrible reflux and could barely make it up a flight of stairs. As I became more overweight I found it more difficult to lead healthy eating workshops without thinking that everyone was questioning my own habits.

In 2012, I got married to my partner, Christine. It is a little shocking to look at photos of myself to see how bloated I looked. I weighed around 260 pounds when we were married. Since then, I have lost 50 pounds and have not gained any of the weight back. 

I kept the weight off even over the last two years when we moved into the country, had a baby and were pretty much stranded for a year during the pandemic. I feel like I have really learned the secrets of losing weight and keeping it off for the long term. Before I share with you some of my Mediterranean Diet recipes for weight loss, I would like to also give you a few of my tips on losing weight and maintaining weight loss over time.

Bill’s tips on losing and maintaining weight by following the Mediterranean Diet

1. Change your habits.

I had to change a number of habits in order to lose 50 pounds. The first is that I had to train myself to be comfortable feeling slightly hungry.  

I also had a habit of eating chips and goodies during my afternoon “grogginess”. Instead of processed sweets, I started eating an apple as my craving destroyer. It has worked wonders!  

There is nothing more important in any weight loss journey than changing your habits. 

One of the reasons so many “diets” fail is that they don’t change your habits for the long term. You might eat a certain way that is not sustainable and then you go off of it and return to your old habits.  

Switch your negative habits to positive habits and you will lose weight easily.

2. Eat food that will make you feel good and that you will want to keep eating forever.

When I am just trying to maintain my weight, I eat a traditional Mediterranean Diet that includes lots of olive oil, fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains and meat, chicken and fish.  

When I am trying to lose weight, I eat a slightly modified Mediterranean Diet with slightly less fat (but still lots of fat) and less processed grains such as bread, rice and pasta. I still eat all of that, just less of it.  

The food is so good that I am not worried about going off the diet.  Even if I go on vacation and take a week off I know that I will always go back to this way of eating.

3. Move everyday.

You don’t have to go crazy with exercise to lose weight.  I go for an hour’s walk in the morning and that is pretty much it. 

 

New studies are showing that weight-bearing exercises can also be beneficial to weight loss plus it is toning to the body which will make look better anyways.

4. Improve your gut health.  

A healthy gut microbiome is crucial to maintaining and losing weight.

If your gut isn’t healthy, then you aren’t digesting food properly. If you aren’t digesting properly, then you are using up less calories digesting plus you aren’t getting the nutrients you need which can cause cravings.  

Improve your gut health with probiotics, probiotics and fermented food.

5. Deal with any issues that make you want to overeat or eat poorly.  

The reason I gained 50 pounds was because I wasn’t able to deal with the emotions around my mom’s passing. If I had been able to process these feelings I would have never gained any weight.  

In order to maintain and lose weight, you must be able to deal with stress and difficulties that will come up in your life. 

The good news is that there are many ways to work on your emotions from traditional therapy to breath work and even exercising.

6. Keep unhealthy food out of the house.  

My wife eats the Mediterranean Diet just like me, though she likes to have a chocolate chip cookie or some chips sometimes.  

When I have been in the process of losing weight I have told her that I would prefer not to have any “junk” food in the house. She is fine with this and it really helps me.  

If there are some freshly baked cookies in the house, I am going to eat them. If they aren’t in the house I won’t be eating them. It is as simple as that!

7. Eat more fat.  

Eating fat is one of my favorite parts of the Mediterranean Diet.  

Eating a lot of fat, mostly in the form of extra virgin olive oil, has been so helpful for my weight loss journey. It fills me up, takes away cravings and it is just so good!  

There is even some new evidence showing that a high-fat diet will actually increase your metabolism. 

As long as the fat is extra virgin olive oil, it is also good for your heart and can be a potent anti-inflammatory.

8. Have a morning routine and a daily routine.

I always thought that a morning routine was important for my weight loss journey, but then I realized that an all-day routine was even more important.  

Why? If you are doing things all day to take care of your health, then you are much less likely to “fall off the wagon.” 

 If you spend your whole day treating yourself well, why would you treat yourself like crap?

9. Be curious.

Being curious has been so helpful to me in my weight loss journey. 

I am curious about my own body and have noticed how I can lose weight and maintain it successfully. Also, I am curious and excited about trying different recipes and love eating them. There are so many new ways I can take care of myself.

Mediterranean Diet Recipes for Weight Loss

A few years ago, I started working on the Mediterranean Diet Weight Loss Program. I wanted to incorporate everything I had learned from my own experience to help others.  

Thousands of people have gone through the program and I love to hear stories not only of people’s success with losing weight but also of other changes they have experienced because of eating the Mediterranean Diet.  

Many have shared that they have drastically decreased their cholesterol or that they have gotten off medications they thought they would have to take forever.  

Below, I am going to share some of the recipes from the program (there are over 100!) plus some newer weight loss recipes we are working on.

Baked Cod with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Olives

In its most distilled form, besides the fish, the ingredients include olives, sun-dried tomato, pepperoncini, basil, feta and of course, good olive oil. This recipe is healthy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Try our Baked Cod recipe here!

Authentic Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salata)

The authentic greek salad is the salad to end all salads. The flavor combination is so spot on, and it’s incredibly easy to make. If you want a truly authentic experience, make sure to use Greek feta, Kalamata olives, and red wine vinegar.

Try our Greek Salad recipe here!

Shrimp with Feta and Tomatoes

This is another quick and easy Mediterranean Diet recipe that is packed with flavor. The shrimp is cooked in a garlic and tomato sauce, then topped with crumbled feta and more fresh tomatoes. Serve it over some rice or pasta for a complete meal.

Try our Shrimp with Feta recipe here!

Spinach and Goat Cheese Quiche

This quiche is light and fluffy, with just the right amount of goat cheese. Serve with a salad or a slice of bread! It’s perfect for brunch, or a light dinner.

Try our Quiche recipe here!

Tuna Patties Fried in Olive Oil (France)

These tuna patties are a classic French recipe, and they’re fried in olive oil to keep them healthy. Serve them with a salad or some roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Try our Tuna Patties recipe here!

Sheet Pan Chicken with Peppers and Onions

This is an easy, one-pan meal that is full of flavor. The chicken thighs and vegetables are roasted in garlic and herb-infused olive oil, and the result is tender and juicy chicken with perfectly cooked veggies.

Try our Sheet Pan Chicken recipe here!

Lebanese Hummus

This hummus is smooth and creamy, with just the right amount of garlic. It’s perfect for dipping vegetables or pita bread, and it also makes a great spread for sandwiches.

Try our Hummus recipe here!

Pasta Carbonara

This classic Italian dish is made with zucchini and cherry tomatoes (instead of guanciale), eggs, and Pecorino cheese. It’s rich and flavorful, and it’s the perfect comfort food.

Try our Pasta Carbonara recipe here!

Moroccan Harira (Lentil, Chickpea and Tomato Soup)

This soup is hearty and filling, and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s perfect for a winter meal, and it can be made in advance and frozen for later.

Try our Harira recipe here!

Avocado Toast with Caramelized Balsamic Onions

This avocado toast is simple but elegant. The avocado is spread on top of toasted bread and then topped with caramelized onions and balsamic vinegar. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.

Try our Avocado Toast recipe here

Spinach and Mushroom Omelet

This omelet is packed with healthy ingredients, and it’s a great way to start your day. The mushrooms and spinach are cooked in olive oil, and then the eggs are added and cooked until they’re fluffy.

Try our Omelet recipe here!

Bean Burgers with Garlic and Sage

These bean burgers are a great alternative to traditional burgers. They’re packed with flavor, and the garlic and sage aioli is the perfect topping. Serve them on whole wheat buns with lettuce, tomato, and onion.

Try our Bean Burger recipe here

Seared Mushroom Salad with Blue Cheese and Arugula

This salad is earthy and flavorful, and it’s perfect for a light lunch. The mushrooms are seared in olive oil, and then they’re combined with arugula, blue cheese, and a simple balsamic vinaigrette.

Try our Seared Mushroom Salad recipe here!

Mediterranean Fish Stew

This stew is full of flavor, and it’s perfect for a winter meal. The fish is cooked in a tomato broth with garlic, olives, and lemon. Serve it over some crusty bread for a complete meal.

Try our Fish Stew recipe here!

Sheet Pan Baked Eggplant Parmesan

This dish is a healthier version of eggplant Parmesan. The eggplant is roasted in the oven, and then it’s topped with a simple tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Serve it with some whole wheat pasta for a complete meal.

Try our Sheet Pan Eggplant recipe here!

Conclusion

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy and delicious way to eat. These recipes are all easy to make, and they’re packed with flavor. 

If you’re looking for a way to lose weight, or just eat healthier, the Mediterranean diet is a great option. Give these recipes a try, and you’ll be sure to find some new favorites.