Eating a lot of vegetables is a huge part for beneficial health. Suzy Weems, a registered dietitian and professor nutrition science at Baylor University, told Time that "the recommendation is to get around nine servings of produce a day." She suggests trying leafy greens and a mix of red, orange, and yellow veggies as well, although really, any vegetable is a good choice.

Fresh fruit is essential to your diet for overall health. Apricots, avocados, cherries, clementines, dates, figs, and melons can all fit nicely into the diet, but no truly fresh fruit is off limits.

Studies have found that adding healthy fats from nuts and seeds can improve cognitive function and assist in weight loss. While there are no restrictions on what kind of nuts and seeds you should eat, Oldways recommends almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, and pistachios.

According to The Bean Institute, legumes are a major food source in the Mediterranean diet because they "pack a unique combination of nutrients that give them a profile similar to both a protein and a vegetable." Great options to eat include fava beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, and chickpeas.

Potatoes may seem like a "bad carb" sometimes, but they aren't viewed that way on this diet. They can be a great source of potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, and more. Try eating white potatoes and sweet potatoes without going overboard.

While bread and pasta and other carbs may be off limits on many diets, it's not the case here. Weems told Time to opt for whole-grain and whole-wheat options, which "add fiber and bulk to the diet, which can help you feel full faster." Healthy options include brown rice, quinoa, couscous, oats, and whole grain pasta and bread.

While red meat and poultry aren't considered off limits, fish is definitely thought of as the better option. Veer towards fatty fish for your diet —omega-3 fatty acids can help slow the buildup of plaque in our arteries and reduce our risk of heart disease. Some great examples include salmon, sardines, mackerel, and catfish.

According to Oldways, extra virgin olive oil is good source for beneficial health. Research has found that cooking vegetables in olive oil are healthier than steaming them as it "increases the phenolics… in the raw food." It has also been linked to weight loss.

While dairy is an important part to add to your diet, it's not meant to be eaten quite as much as, say, vegetables or fish. But studies have found that adding dairy can offer benefits to cardiovascular health. Choose yogurts and cheeses to supplement your diet.

Eggs are also not quite as important as veggies and fruits, but they are a great source of protein and healthy addition to the diet. Research has shown that cholesterol from eggs can help improve the blood lipid fat levels, which can reduce inflammation.

Not only do herbs and spices make all of your food taste better, but they're also important on the Mediterranean diet. They are rich in antioxidants and can reduce the need for salt, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some popular ones include cumin, garlic, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme.