Many of us struggle with losing weight and maintaining a healthy diet. I am no exception; I often find myself grabbing whatever food is most convenient. At home, this means the tantalizing chips right in arm's reach in the pantry.

Outside, this means anything quick, be it fast food or food I tell myself isn't fast food but really is. I'm always busy—we all are—and that takes away from much-needed time to really cook a nutritious meal or go to the gym. Even when I do have time, I find myself with no motivation anyways. This is because it's necessary to build up healthy habits before being able to sustain a well-balanced diet and therefore lose weight. Also, it's easy to associate the word "healthy" with bland, boring food. This couldn't be further from the truth.

Imagine eating elegant, refreshing melon tinged with mint. Crisp yet flaky fish full of rich Middle Eastern spices. Deep, savory beef stew packed with warmth and invigorating flavors. These probably aren't foods you would pair with a diet book or weight-loss meal plan, but they are. In this book, by following my 10-day meal plan, you'll find yourself enjoying every unique, filling yet nutritious dish, and losing weight while you're at it. How? Because the Mediterranean Diet isn't about abstaining from food you love; it's about eating in a certain way.