Greek Recipes
Greek Recipes for Weight Loss
Are you tired of restrictive diets that leave you feeling unsatisfied? If only there were a way to eat vibrant, flavorful meals all while working towards your weight loss goals. Oh wait! There is! Eating a Mediterranean diet can help you achieve your weight loss goals without depriving yourself of delicious, flavorful food. A diet rich in Greek foods is a sustainable and great way for you to work towards leading a healthier lifestyle. That’s why I wanted to share some of my Greek recipes for weight loss that I think you’re going to love!
Greek food is full of fresh, in-season veggies, lean meat, seafood, and whole grains, nuts, and legumes. It focuses on whole foods (versus processed), which are naturally lower in calories and richer in vitamins and nutrients. The primary fat source is olive oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fats, and there are so many fantastic Greek recipes that can send you in the right direction of losing weight and, most importantly, feeling great.
Delicious Greek Recipes for Your Weight Loss Journey
There are so many delicious, nutrient-rich Greek-inspired recipes that can inspire you on your weight loss journey. Not all of these recipes are super traditional, but they are made with the Mediterranean diet in mind, using whole foods that are good for you.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Snacks
Meal & Snack Ideas
If you’re looking for some easy examples of things you can easily eat that are inspired by a Mediterranean diet that’s good for weight loss, here is some inspo:
Breakfast
- Greek yogurt parfait with fresh fruit and honey
- Eggs cooked however you like them, with sautéed spinach or kale and sprinkled with feta cheese, served with whole grain toast
Lunch
- Lean grilled chicken and vegetable skewers (you can also do your skewers with fish like salmon)
- Greek salad with a lean protein like grilled chicken, tuna, or beans and legumes like chickpeas
Dinner
- Sheet pan meals that incorporate lots of fresh, colourful veggies, and a lean meat like chicken or seafood
- Chicken souvlaki paired with roasted veggies or Greek salad
Snacks
- Cucumber slices dipped in tzatziki
- Hummus and veggie sticks
Tips for Making Your Greek Cooking Weight Loss Friendly
To get you started on the right foot, here are some of my biggest tips you can start integrating into your routine that will help you on your weight loss journey.
Portion Control: The biggest issue that many people struggle with is portion control. It’s important to have at least a piece of protein on your plate that is the size of your palm, and at least half your plate should be filled with veggies. One way that can help you eat less is to use a small plate. This way you won’t overfill your plate, and in turn overeat.
Lean Protein: Prioritize proteins like skinless poultry, seafood, and legumes like beans and lentils. Lean proteins have a lower calorie count and fat content, which can help you lower your calorie intake.
Limit Fats: Olive oil and avocado oil are great for you, but in moderation. Use only a little bit when cooking and making recipes.
Eat the Rainbow: Fill up on veggies and fruits. Your plate should be colourful for every meal!
Limit Sugar & Processed Foods: The Mediterranean diet focuses on whole, real foods. Processed foods have SO much sugar, sodium, and ingredients you cannot pronounce.
Add Flavor: To save your food from being too bland, really focus on adding flavor through spices. Spices are low in calories and can add so much to a recipe. Fresh herbs are also a great option!
Frequently Asked Questions
Eating a Greek diet focuses on lean protein, vegetables, legumes, and most importantly, whole, fresh foods vs. processed stuff.
Greek food is so easy to make and beginner-friendly for those who aren’t as experienced in the kitchen.
Yes! Everything on a diet is fine in moderation. I’d focus on whole grain breads vs. white bread, and if you can, make it yourself or buy it from a bakery where it’s made fresh.
Absolutely! There are so many veggies, legumes, nuts, etc. in a Greek diet, so being vegetarian is possible!
I would say it’s more of a lifestyle than a traditional diet. What’s great about the Greek diet is that it’s very realistic and easy to follow vs. a fad diet that may require you to make extreme changes. You still get to eat a fantastic, delicious assortment of foods.
Overall, eating Greek recipes for weight loss is a us and sustainable diet. You don’t even need to follow specific recipes, you just need to eat a diet that is rich in lean proteins, lots of veggies, seafood, and legumes. Get creative and just try adding some of these things to each meal, and of course, like any diet, incorporating these diet changes with drinking more water and exercising can be a great plan to get you on the weight loss track.
What are your favorite Greek recipes?
