Mediterranean Protein Guide

18 items classified under standard Mediterranean guidelines.

This guide covers all 18 protein classified under Mediterranean guidelines. Mediterranean evaluates foods primarily by how often the food appears in the traditional Mediterranean pattern, which determines how each item in this category is classified.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Black Beans Allowed 181kcal
Chickpea Flour Allowed 387kcal
Edamame Allowed 121kcal
Eggs Allowed 334kcal
Greek Yogurt Allowed 105kcal
Kidney Beans Allowed 177kcal
Lentil Pasta Allowed 111kcal
Pea Protein Allowed 180kcal
Tempeh Allowed 192kcal
Tofu Allowed 94kcal
Collagen Peptides Limited 360kcal
Gelatin Limited 381kcal
Protein Bars Limited 335kcal
Protein Powder Limited 388kcal
Protein Shakes Limited 119kcal
Soy Protein Limited 335kcal
Veggie Burger Limited 224kcal
Whey Protein Limited 339kcal

Classification Breakdown

10 Allowed — These protein are a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. 8 Limited — These items have allowed in moderation rather than as a staple.

Mediterranean is a frequency pattern, not a banned-list diet. Most foods fit somewhere on the spectrum.

Allowed Protein (10)

Black Beans

Allowed

At 181kcal calories per 100g, Black Beans falls into the Allowed category under Mediterranean guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 8.2g protein and 7g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Pea Protein and Tempeh for calories, ranking 8 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Dry341kcal21.6g1.4g62.4g15.5g
Cooked (boiled)132kcal8.9g0.5g23.7g8.7g
Canned91kcal4.8g1.3g15.4g6.8g

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Chickpea Flour

Allowed

Chickpea Flour is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 387kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 22.4g protein and 6.7g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Gelatin at 381kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

387kcalCalories
22.4gProtein
6.7gFat
57.8gCarbs
10.8gFiber

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Edamame

Allowed

With 121kcal calories per 100g, Edamame earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, edamame also provides 11.9g protein and 5.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Protein Shakes and Kidney Beans for calories, ranking 5 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

121kcalCalories
11.9gProtein
5.2gFat
8.9gCarbs
5.2gFiber

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Eggs

Allowed

With 334kcal calories per 100g, Eggs earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, eggs also provides 16.2g protein and 28.8g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Veggie Burger and Protein Bars for calories, ranking 11 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Whole Egg (raw)143kcal12.6g9.5g0.7g0g
Egg White (raw)52kcal10.9g0.2g0.7g0g
Egg Yolk (raw)322kcal15.9g26.5g3.6g0g

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Greek Yogurt

Allowed

With 105kcal calories per 100g, Greek Yogurt earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, greek yogurt also provides 8.2g protein per 100g. Among the 18 items in this category, greek yogurt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Lentil Pasta at 111kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain (whole milk)97kcal9g5g4g0g
Plain (nonfat)61kcal10.3g0.4g3.6g

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Kidney Beans

Allowed

With 177kcal calories per 100g, Kidney Beans earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, kidney beans also provides 8.1g protein and 7g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Edamame and Pea Protein for calories, ranking 6 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Dry337kcal22.5g1.1g61.3g15.2g
Cooked (boiled)127kcal8.7g0.5g22.8g7.4g

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Lentil Pasta

Allowed

With 111kcal calories per 100g, Lentil Pasta earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 5.7g fat and 3.4g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 18 items in this category, lentil pasta sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Protein Shakes at 119kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

111kcalCalories
3.7gProtein
5.7gFat
12.3gCarbs
3.4gFiber

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Pea Protein

Allowed

Pea Protein is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 180kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 14g fat and 2.7g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Kidney Beans and Black Beans for calories, ranking 7 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

180kcalCalories
3gProtein
14gFat
10.6gCarbs
2.7gFiber

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Tempeh

Allowed

At 192kcal calories per 100g, Tempeh falls into the Allowed category under Mediterranean guidelines. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, tempeh also provides 20.3g protein and 10.8g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Black Beans and Veggie Burger for calories, ranking 9 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Plain192kcal20.3g10.8g7.6g
Cooked195kcal19.9g11.4g7.6g

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Tofu

Allowed

With 94kcal calories per 100g, Tofu earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Among the 18 items in this category, tofu sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Greek Yogurt at 105kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

VariantCaloriesProteinFatCarbsFiber
Firm144kcal17.3g8.7g2.8g2.3g
Soft/Silken270kcal18.8g20.2g8.9g3.9g

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Limited Protein (8)

Collagen Peptides

Limited

Collagen Peptides is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 360kcal calories per 100g. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 90g protein and 300mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Whey Protein at 339kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

360kcalCalories
90gProtein
0gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Gelatin

Limited

Gelatin is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 381kcal calories per 100g. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 7.8g protein and 466mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Collagen Peptides at 360kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

381kcalCalories
7.8gProtein
0gFat
90.5gCarbs
0gFiber

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Protein Bars

Limited

Protein Bars is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 335kcal calories per 100g. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Eggs and Soy Protein for calories, ranking 12 of 18. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

335kcalCalories
88.3gProtein
3.4gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Protein Powder

Limited

Protein Powder is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 388kcal calories per 100g. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. It also contains 55.6g protein and 5.6g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Chickpea Flour at 387kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

388kcalCalories
55.6gProtein
5.6gFat
28.9gCarbs
6.7gFiber

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Protein Shakes

Limited

With 119kcal calories per 100g, Protein Shakes earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. This means it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Among the 18 items in this category, protein shakes sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Edamame at 121kcal. Check the label carefully: the same product can be compliant or not depending on the specific brand or how it was prepared.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

119kcalCalories
3.1gProtein
2.7gFat
21.2gCarbs
0.3gFiber

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Soy Protein

Limited

At 335kcal calories per 100g, Soy Protein falls into the Limited category under Mediterranean guidelines. The classification reflects that it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Nutritionally, it also delivers 88.3g protein and 1000mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Protein Bars and Whey Protein for calories, ranking 13 of 18. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

335kcalCalories
88.3gProtein
3.4gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Veggie Burger

Limited

With 224kcal calories per 100g, Veggie Burger earns a Limited classification on Mediterranean. It is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Beyond the primary classification, veggie burger also provides 13g protein and 5.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Tempeh and Eggs for calories, ranking 10 of 18. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

224kcalCalories
13gProtein
5.2gFat
30.8gCarbs
3.5gFiber

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Whey Protein

Limited

Whey Protein is classified as Limited on Mediterranean, with 339kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is allowed in moderation rather than as a staple. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11.7g protein and 968mg sodium per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Soy Protein at 335kcal. Portion control is key here — a small amount may fit within the diet's parameters, while a full serving may not.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

339kcalCalories
11.7gProtein
0.5gFat
73.4gCarbs
0gFiber

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