The Mediterranean diet is known for its emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and seafood. It’s also known for being high in olive oil, red wine, and garlic.

What you might not know is that there’s greater variation within the Mediterranean diet than meets the eye. In fact, some experts say that what we think of as the “Mediterranean diet” isn’t really a single diet at all. Instead, it’s a collection of dietary habits found among people who live in Mediterranean regions.

These habits share similarities with other diets that have been described as “Mediterranean” in the past — but they aren’t exactly the same. This article will explain the difference between various subtypes of the Mediterranean diet as well as provide an overview of what you should know about this eating style if you want to adopt it into your own diet plan.

The Mediterranean diet is typically low in red meat, dairy, and saturated fat. It’s also known for being a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and certain cancers.

While the Mediterranean diet has been studied for decades, many people still don’t really understand what it is or how it can be used as a healthy eating plan, so we’ll try to define it within this article.

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