Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

11 Mediterranean Diet Breakfasts To Hold You Over Until Lunch

Abby Moore
Author: Expert reviewer:
April 21, 2020
Abby Moore
mbg Nutrition & Health Writer
By Abby Moore
mbg Nutrition & Health Writer
Abby Moore is an editorial operations manager at mindbodygreen. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and has previously written for Tribeza magazine.
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
Expert review by
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Texas Christian University and a master’s in nutrition interventions, communication, and behavior change from Tufts University. She lives in Newport Beach, California, and enjoys connecting people to the food they eat and how it influences health and wellbeing.
Greek yogurt with honey, figs, nuts and muesli
Image by Susan Brook-Dammann / Stocksy
April 21, 2020

For years, the Mediterranean diet has been ranked the top diet for overall health by U.S. News & World Report. Aside from being nonrestrictive, flexible, and relatively simple to follow, the Mediterranean diet has many proven health benefits, like reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome, improving heart health, and supporting healthy aging1

Whether you choose to follow the eating style for its delicious and vast range of whole foods, or for its known health benefits, there's no better meal to start with than breakfast. We rounded up 11 of our favorite breakfast recipes that you can enjoy while following a Mediterranean diet: 

1.

Sweet Potato Breakfast Patties 

Image by Alan de Herrera / Contributor

When you think of breakfast patties, sausage most likely comes to mind, but these sweet potato breakfast patties are completely vegetarian. The sweet potatoes provide a healthy dose of beta-Carotene2, while the lentils contain gut-friendly fiber. The recipe recommends topping them with Greek yogurt and berries, but for a more savory option, consider avocado, salt, and pepper.

2.

Greek Yogurt With Fruit & Honey

Bowl of Greek Yogurt topped with honey, bee pollen and honeycomb
Image by Mariela Naplatanova / Stocksy

If you're looking for a quick but nourishing breakfast option, yogurt bowls are almost always a good idea. This Greek yogurt recipe requires only two ingredients to make at home. When it's had time to thicken and chill in the fridge, top it with Mediterranean-diet-approved fruits, like figs, pomegranate seeds, or berries, and a drizzle of honey. For extra protein and crunch, add walnuts.

3.

Sweet Potato Toast 

Image by Nadine Greeff / Stocksy

While you can enjoy whole grain breads on the Mediterranean diet, try switching up your avocado toast with these sweet potato toasts. You'll get the same satisfaction from the smoked salmon and avocado toppings but with a more nutrient-dense sweet potato vessel.

4.

Spanish Omelet 

Omelet with Fresh Tomatoes, Parsley, and Arugula
Image by Davide Illini / Stocksy

This Spanish omelet, also called a Spanish tortilla or Tortilla española,, is made with high-fiber potatoes and nourishing vegetables like red bell peppers and sweet onions. Though it's technically a breakfast food, the Mediterranean staple is also great for lunch or dinner.

5.

Keto Breakfast Pizza

Keto Breakfast Pizza with Tomato, Pepperoni, and Mozzarella
Image by Lauren Volo / Contributor

Though this keto breakfast pizza calls for pepperoni, simply substituting sautéed spinach, roasted red peppers (feel free to use canned peppers), or onions will make it both nutritious and Med-diet-approved.

6.

Oatmeal With an Egg 

Image by Mariela Naplatanova

Oatmeal with an egg is surprisingly not the same thing as savory oatmeal. While you can add pureed vegetables or savory spices, this meal can also be enjoyed more traditionally with berries, cinnamon, and honey. The eggs simply work to make the dish creamier and more filling.

7.

Egg & Tomato Shakshuka

Shakshuka in an iron skillet with parmesan cheese and a cheese grater
Image by Cameron Whitman / Stocksy

Egg shakshuka is a common Middle Eastern dish that's both comforting and nutritious. Like most shakshuka, this one provides a good amount of vitamin C and beta-carotene from the red peppers and tomatoes. The less common addition of Brussels sprouts, spinach, and zucchini, however, also ensures you start your day with a good amount of green vegetables.

8.

Vegan Green Shakshuka

This Vegan Green Shakshuka Has a Surprising Replace For Eggs
Image by Lizzie Mayson / Contributor

If you don't eat animal products, you can still enjoy a Mediterranean shakshuka dish...just with a twist. This vegan green shakshuka features plant-based yogurt instead of eggs. It's also packed with dark green leafy vegetables, herbs, and cannellini beans, which means it's bursting with vitamins A, B5, B6, C, E, and K; folate; potassium; manganese; and thiamine; along with protein and fiber.

9.

Cauliflower Smoothie With Blueberry & Cinnamon

Image by Vera Lair / Stocksy

Adding frozen cauliflower to this blueberry and cinnamon smoothie helps to create a creamy texture and also provides a good source of vitamins C, K, and folate. This recipe calls for blueberries, but any dark berries, like blackberries, will provide a healthy dose of antioxidants3.

10.

Nut Butter With Whole Grain Toast

Peanut Butter Banana Toast
Image by Trent Lanz / Stocksy

Nuts are a primary staple in the Mediterranean diet. Making a homemade nut butter, like cardamom pistachio, will ensure that your creamy spread doesn't have any added sugars or other additives. Simply toast a piece of whole grain bread, lather on your nut butter, and you've got a protein-packed breakfast.

11.

Superfood Breakfast Bowl

low fodmap oatmeal with banana, blueberries and hazlenuts
Image by Nataša Mandić / Stocksy

This superfood breakfast bowl is high in healthy carbohydrates, which provides both fiber and energy to hold you over until lunchtime. The combination of berries, vanilla, and cinnamon adds a sweet burst to the quinoa porridge.

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Food
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.