When you think of the Mediterranean diet, almonds, walnuts, and pistachios probably come to mind. But there’s another pantry staple that deserves a spot on your plate: peanuts. Whether it’s a soup from Bolivia or a stir-fry from China, this humble legume has earned its place in kitchens around the world.

What makes peanuts “Mediterranean diet–worthy” is their nutrition profile. They’re rich in heart-healthy fats, plant protein, and fiber—nutrients that research links to better cholesterol, blood sugar control, and long-term heart health. Best of all, peanuts deliver many of the same benefits as tree nuts, but at a fraction of the cost, making Mediterranean-style eating more budget-friendly and accessible.

Rather than having strict parameters (a common drawback of fad diets), the Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating pattern that focuses on increasing the intake of certain foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting others, like red meat and foods with excess added sugar and sodium. One important food group that this eating pattern focuses on is legumes, as they’re a high-fiber source of lean protein and low in saturated fat (the kind of fat that can do harm when eaten in excess). Peanuts are a type of legume, though often thought of as a nut—another healthy food group that fits the Mediterranean diet eating pattern.