Mediterranean Spices & Seasonings Guide
18 items classified under standard Mediterranean guidelines.
This guide covers all 18 spices & seasonings 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.
Spices & Seasonings are universally compatible with Mediterranean. Each item listed here is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. The entries below break down the specific nutritional profile so you can choose based on your individual targets — calories, macros, or micronutrients that matter for your goals.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Calories (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Allowed | 23kcal |
| Black Pepper | Allowed | 279kcal |
| Cayenne Pepper | Allowed | 318kcal |
| Chili Powder | Allowed | 139kcal |
| Cinnamon | Allowed | 253kcal |
| Cumin | Allowed | 375kcal |
| Everything Bagel Seasoning | Allowed | 264kcal |
| Garlic Powder | Allowed | 331kcal |
| Ginger | Allowed | 80kcal |
| Nutmeg | Allowed | 884kcal |
| Onion Powder | Allowed | 341kcal |
| Oregano | Allowed | 265kcal |
| Paprika | Allowed | 282kcal |
| Saffron | Allowed | 310kcal |
| Salt | Allowed | 0kcal |
| Taco Seasoning | Allowed | 170kcal |
| Turmeric | Allowed | 312kcal |
| Vanilla Extract | Allowed | 288kcal |
Classification Breakdown
18 Allowed — These spices & seasonings are a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern.
Mediterranean is a frequency pattern, not a banned-list diet. Most foods fit somewhere on the spectrum.
Allowed Spices & Seasonings (18)
Basil
AllowedWith 23kcal calories per 100g, Basil 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, basil sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Ginger at 80kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Black Pepper
AllowedAt 279kcal calories per 100g, Black Pepper falls into the Allowed category under Mediterranean guidelines. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Within this category, it falls between Oregano and Paprika for calories, ranking 9 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cayenne Pepper
AllowedAt 318kcal calories per 100g, Cayenne Pepper 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 12g protein and 17.3g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Turmeric at 312kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Chili Powder
AllowedWith 139kcal calories per 100g, Chili Powder earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, chili powder also provides 13.3g protein and 8.2g fat per 100g. Among the 18 items in this category, chili powder sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Taco Seasoning at 170kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cinnamon
AllowedWith 253kcal calories per 100g, Cinnamon earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 7.1g protein and 5.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Taco Seasoning and Everything Bagel Seasoning for calories, ranking 6 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cumin
AllowedCumin is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 375kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 17.8g protein and 22.3g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Onion Powder at 341kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Everything Bagel Seasoning
AllowedWith 264kcal calories per 100g, Everything Bagel Seasoning earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 10.6g protein and 422mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cinnamon and Oregano for calories, ranking 7 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Garlic Powder
AllowedGarlic Powder is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 331kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 16.6g protein and 9g fiber per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cayenne Pepper at 318kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Ginger
AllowedGinger is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 80kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Among the 18 items in this category, ginger sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Chili Powder at 139kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nutmeg
AllowedWith 884kcal calories per 100g, Nutmeg earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, nutmeg also provides 100g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cumin at 375kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Onion Powder
AllowedAt 341kcal calories per 100g, Onion Powder 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 10.4g protein and 15.2g fiber per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Garlic Powder at 331kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Oregano
AllowedAt 265kcal calories per 100g, Oregano 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 9g protein and 42.5g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Everything Bagel Seasoning and Black Pepper for calories, ranking 8 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Paprika
AllowedWith 282kcal calories per 100g, Paprika earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 14.1g protein and 12.9g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Black Pepper and Vanilla Extract for calories, ranking 10 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Saffron
AllowedWith 310kcal calories per 100g, Saffron earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 11.4g protein and 5.9g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Vanilla Extract and Turmeric for calories, ranking 12 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Salt
AllowedSalt is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 0kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. It also contains 38800mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 18 items in this category, salt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Basil at 23kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Taco Seasoning
AllowedWith 170kcal calories per 100g, Taco Seasoning earns a Allowed classification on Mediterranean. It is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Beyond the primary classification, taco seasoning also provides 6.7g protein and 9.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Chili Powder and Cinnamon for calories, ranking 5 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Turmeric
AllowedTurmeric is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 312kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Nutritionally, it also delivers 9.7g protein and 22.7g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Saffron and Cayenne Pepper for calories, ranking 13 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Vanilla Extract
AllowedVanilla Extract is classified as Allowed on Mediterranean, with 288kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a regular feature of the traditional Mediterranean pattern. Within this category, it falls between Paprika and Saffron for calories, ranking 11 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central