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

Allowed

With 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

23kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
0.6gFat
2.7gCarbs
1.6gFiber

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Black Pepper

Allowed

At 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

279kcalCalories
0gProtein
0.1gFat
21.2gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cayenne Pepper

Allowed

At 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

318kcalCalories
12gProtein
17.3gFat
56.6gCarbs
27.2gFiber

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Chili Powder

Allowed

With 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

139kcalCalories
13.3gProtein
8.2gFat
2.4gCarbs
0.5gFiber

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Cinnamon

Allowed

With 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

253kcalCalories
7.1gProtein
5.3gFat
44.4gCarbs
3.5gFiber

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Cumin

Allowed

Cumin 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

375kcalCalories
17.8gProtein
22.3gFat
44.2gCarbs
10.5gFiber

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Everything Bagel Seasoning

Allowed

With 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

264kcalCalories
10.6gProtein
1.3gFat
52.4gCarbs
1.6gFiber

Compare Everything Bagel Seasoning across all diets

Garlic Powder

Allowed

Garlic 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

331kcalCalories
16.6gProtein
0.7gFat
72.7gCarbs
9gFiber

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Ginger

Allowed

Ginger 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

80kcalCalories
1.8gProtein
0.8gFat
17.8gCarbs
2gFiber

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Nutmeg

Allowed

With 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

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Onion Powder

Allowed

At 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

341kcalCalories
10.4gProtein
1gFat
79.1gCarbs
15.2gFiber

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Oregano

Allowed

At 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

265kcalCalories
9gProtein
4.3gFat
68.9gCarbs
42.5gFiber

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Paprika

Allowed

With 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

282kcalCalories
14.1gProtein
12.9gFat
54gCarbs
34.9gFiber

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Saffron

Allowed

With 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

310kcalCalories
11.4gProtein
5.9gFat
65.4gCarbs
3.9gFiber

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Salt

Allowed

Salt 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

0kcalCalories
0gProtein
0gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Taco Seasoning

Allowed

With 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

170kcalCalories
6.7gProtein
9.2gFat
15.1gCarbs
3gFiber

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Turmeric

Allowed

Turmeric 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

312kcalCalories
9.7gProtein
3.3gFat
67.1gCarbs
22.7gFiber

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Vanilla Extract

Allowed

Vanilla 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

288kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
0.1gFat
12.6gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Vanilla Extract across all diets