When Livia Dune moved into her first apartment after college, she had two goals: eat healthy and stick to a tight grocery budget. “I thought that meant eating a lot of rice and canned tuna,” she jokes. But then she stumbled onto the Mediterranean diet—a way of eating that was fresh, flavorful, and surprisingly affordable.
“At first, it felt too fancy for me,” she admits. “Olive oil, feta cheese, fish, olives—it sounded expensive.” But after digging into the basics, she realized many Mediterranean staples are simple, budget-friendly, and often sold in bulk.
She started by shopping at discount grocers and local markets, prioritizing whole grains like bulgur and brown rice, seasonal produce, canned beans, and frozen vegetables. “It wasn’t about buying everything organic or imported,” she says. “It was about choosing smart ingredients and making them stretch.”
Meal prepping became a game-changer. Livia could make a big pot of chickpea stew and eat it for three days, or whip up a Greek-style salad with bulk cucumbers, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of feta. “It kept me satisfied without breaking my wallet.”
She also found joy in the simplicity of Mediterranean meals. “It’s not about complicated sauces or long prep times. It’s about fresh, real food seasoned well.”
As she refined her grocery list, Livia began sharing her weekly hauls and meal plans on social media. Her followers quickly grew, drawn to her honest, no-frills approach. “People want to eat well without going broke,” she says. “And Mediterranean eating is the perfect balance of health, ease, and flavor.”
Her biggest tip? “Don’t aim for perfection. You don’t need every spice or ingredient on day one. Start with what’s available and build from there.”
