8 Mediterranean Recipes To Make In 2018 To Lose 8 Pounds

Have you heard of the Mediterranean Diet? As its name implies, it's a diet that includes nutrient-rich ingredients inspired by the Mediterranean region like olive oil, eggplant, and artichokes. The diet also includes a healthy portion of protein, whole grains, and fresh herbs that not only make the diet healthy, but delicious as well! "Eating the Mediterranean way is really a lifestyle, and it’s one that’s easy to stick to," says clinical nutritionist Dr. Josh Axe. "You’ll also reap the benefits of the fresh foods, heart-healthy fats and mood-boosting foods that are staples of the diet." So why sacrifice? Try these 8 Mediterranean Diet recipes that will help you start off the New Year in a healthy way! 

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This simple salad is perfect as an entrée or a side dish. It contains healthy romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and olives, as well as tasty olive oil and feta cheese.

Get the Recipe: Classic Greek Salad

Gyros are a staple fast food item, but they can make for a healthy meal if made with the right ingredients. This Greek-style sandwich has lean chicken, fresh vegetables and a creamy yogurt-dill sauce. Just make sure you're not eating it with any fries... 

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Gyros & Tzatziki Sauce

Egg salad is a classic meal. This one is spruced up with avocado, corn and tomatoes. You can eat it as a side dish or put it on whole grain bread for a healthy lunch option. And, the best part? This recipe calls for no mayo, so it's perfect for your waistline!

Get the Recipe: Avocado Egg Salad

Salmon is one of the healthiest proteins you can eat. It's packed with omega-3 fatty acids, a substance that can reduce heart disease. This recipe comes with a delicious mustard glaze and healthy herbs.

Get the Recipe: Broiled Salmon with Herb Mustard Glaze

These zucchini sticks are filled with classic, Mediterranean ingredients like kalamata olives, garlic, and feta cheese. The recipe is vegetarian, but it can be spiced up with crumbled ground chicken for meat-lovers.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Baked Zucchini Sticks

This recipe is for the seafood lover. Fresh mussels steamed in a garlicky tomato broth with green olives and gold Yukon potatoes -- yum! 

Get the Recipe: Mussels With Potatoes and Olives

This delicious recipe calls for lean, juicy grilled chicken for a protein boost, creamy yogurt-dill sauce and fresh herbs.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Chicken + Dill Greek Yogurt Sauce

Everyone loves a good stew in the winter. This bean stew has cannelini beans for protein and vitamin K-rich kale in a tomato based broth with farro,a whole grain much healthier than rice.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Kale, Cannellini & Farro Stew