10 Celebs Who Swear By the Mediterranean Diet
In recent decades, the Mediterranean diet has remained a popular choice among those hoping to improve their health and maybe even shed some extra pounds. The eating philosophy focuses on plant-based foods and healthy fats. It mostly consists of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and olive oil, along with fish, poultry, and a small amount of red meat. Although it was originally inspired by folks living in areas around the Mediterranean Sea, people all over have since adopted the Mediterranean diet, including celebrities.
If you're looking into trying out the Mediterranean diet because of its potential health benefits—including heart and brain health and weight loss—here are 10 celebrities who follow the Mediterranean diet.
1. Penélope Cruz
Pirates of the Caribbean actress Penélope Cruz, 51, is one celebrity who adheres to the Mediterranean diet.
"I love Spanish food. My diet is the Mediterranean diet, which is good food," she told the Daily Mirror. "I eat well, but I try to eat healthily."
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2. John Goodman
Rosanne star John Goodman, 72, previously dropped 200+ pounds with a combination of the Mediterranean-style eating regimen and regular exercise. The actor also eliminated sugar, according to PEOPLE. Fitness expert Mackie Shilstone, who assisted in the plan, told the New York Post that the actor worked out six days per week. This included taking 10,000 to 12,000 steps daily, including on a treadmill and an elliptical bicycle.
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3. Jennifer Garner
Although Jennifer Garner, 53, doesn't necessarily follow a super strict Mediterranean diet, her guiding principles for food align well with the method. She sat down with Harper's Bazaar to dish on what she eats in a day. For breakfast, it's full-fat yogurt with berries, and for lunch, she loves an arugula salad with chopped veggies, cheese, nuts, sweet potatoes, and brown rice. One part of the Mediterranean diet Garner is not a fan of, however, is olives. Plus, she admitted, "I do have a big sweet tooth and I also have a big salty tooth."
4. Brooke Burke
Former Dancing With the Stars host Brooke Burke, 53, is yet another celeb who prefers a Mediterranean-style eating method. In a 2024 Instagram video, she shared a peek at what she eats during a typical day, "on the spirit of the Blue Zones." The diet in many of the Blue Zones is plant-forward and in line with or draws parallels to the MedDiet.
Brooke's clip featured a salad with cabbage, protein, cilantro, avocado, arugula, tomatoes and jalapeños. Another meal included grilled beef on a bed of greens with sugar snap peas and rice.
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5. Geoffrey Zakarian
Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, 65, is a huge proponent of the Mediterranean diet, which he also follows.
"People have always asked me what's the last thing on Earth you'd have to eat if it was only one cuisine," Zakarian told Business Insider. "I'd say the Mediterranean cuisine because that cuisine provides everything on the planet that's good for you."
6. Catherine Zeta-Jones
Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, previously opened up with Harper's Bazaar about what she eats in a day while following the Mediterranean diet. For breakfast, she loves oatmeal with brown sugar, bananas and blueberries.
"I have a salad every meal other than breakfast because I just adore it," she told the publication.
Her favorite salads include arugula, spinach, pine nuts, tomatoes, dried cranberries, blue cheese and a dressing of olive oil, mustard and vinegar—all very Mediterranean. She likes to add chicken, grilled cod or "something light" with protein to complete the meal.
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7. Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz, 52, opened up about her eating and lifestyle habits in her books The Longevity Book and The Body Book. In them, she detailed her Mediterranean diet, explaining that while she mostly sticks to protein, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables, she also allows for fun foods, per Foods for Better Health. Diaz explained that she follows an 80/20 rule, meaning 80% of what she eats is healthy and 20% is more guilty pleasure food items.
8. Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray, 56, is another celebrity who has touted the benefits of following the Mediterranean diet.
"John and I only have red meat maybe once or twice a week," the Food Network star told EatingWell, explaining that she and her husband instead opt for plant-based recipes with some fish. "We eat a very healthy diet and eat a ton of vegetables. I got shunned in kindergarten because I was eating a sardine sandwich. I was eating kale before kale was cool."
9. Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston, 56, also swears by a Mediterranean-style diet. During an interview with Elle, the Friends actress detailed her daily eating habits, which consisted of a shake or oatmeal for breakfast and then "some form of vegetables or salad with protein—pretty basic" for lunch. Additionally, a Mediterranean-inspired viral "Jennifer Aniston salad" was inspired by the actress and includes quinoa, chickpeas, pistachios, cucumbers, red onions, lemon juice, olive oil, feta cheese, salt and pepper and fresh herbs.
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10. Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot, 40, is yet another star who is a huge proponent of the Mediterranean diet.
"Since I'm from the Middle East, I'm very much all about the Mediterranean diet," told Good Housekeeping. "I look at food as fuel, and I want to give the best to my body so I try to eat healthy on most days."
