Easy Mediterranean meals: Tips from CAVA's co-founder

[Celerity]

Mediterranean diet tips for this popular way of eating

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/cava-mediterranean-diet-tips/?lctg=530931



The Mediterranean diet topped U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 list of healthiest diets. This diet focuses on mimicking the traditional eating habits of people who live in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea and emphasizes a diet rich in plant-based foods and healthy fats. With more consumers looking to improve their eating habits in the new year, many Americans are switching to the Mediterranean diet to change their eating habits without feeling deprived.

The popular fast-casual eatery CAVA has recently teamed up with Olympic Gold Medalist sprinter Gabby Thomas to launch three new menu items inspired by the Mediterranean diet. The Spicy Lamb + Avocado Bowl, Falafel Crunch Bowl, and Garlic Chicken + Veggie Pita encompass bold Mediterranean flavors, embracing abundance rather than restrictions. To learn more about the new menu and how to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, I connected with Ted Xenohristos, CAVA’s co-founder and chief concept officer. Xenohristos co-founded CAVA, creating the company’s unique, category-defining Mediterranean concept. Here are his best tips for those who want to explore this trending diet.

Dining out on a Mediterranean diet



CAVA’s meals, especially the new menu items, make adhering to the Mediterranean diet simple — even when dining out. CAVA uses fresh ingredients and allows individuals to customize their meals to their unique preferences. According to Xenohristos, there are over 17 billion different combinations you can make to explore Mediterranean flavors and foods in an approachable way.

If you’re not near a CAVA, Xenohristos recommends choosing creamy dips and spreads, including hummus and tzatziki, paired with carrots or celery for on-the-go snacking. In addition, he shared, “Olives are also a great snacking option and can be tossed into a hearty salad — you have to get your olives from Greece, in my opinion. We source our olives and olive oil from a family friend, Stavros, an olive oil sommelier, and you can’t beat them. Mediterranean-style plates are also easy to put together and aren’t time-consuming to prepare. No matter what meal I’m preparing, it comes down to the simplicity of flavors and freshness of the ingredients,” Xenohristos said.

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[Demovictory9]

1. CAVA restaurant opened near me