The Mediterranean diet is a heart-healthy diet that focuses on plant-based foods, eliminating saturated fats from your menu and incorporating lean meats into your meals. While eating plenty of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis sounds healthy, there are a few things that can be unhealthy when using the Mediterranean diet -- this could increase your risk for certain diseases or health conditions.
Monounsaturated Fats
One key factor to success of the Mediterranean diet is monounsaturated fats. These are the fats that are commonly found in canola and olive oils, explains Medline Plus. While they are healthier to eat than saturated fats, they are also loaded with calories. While calories don't always pose an immediate threat to health, they can accumulate over time and lead to weight gain as opposed to weight loss. You should use monounsaturated fats in moderation when following the Mediterranean diet. This will help you avoid added calories and assist with reaching your weight loss goals.
Alcohol Consumption
The Mediterranean diet encourages you to drink a glass or two of wine each day. This is permitted in the diet because of the health benefits of wine. Red wine contains antioxidants, flavanoids and reservatrol, which are believed to help improve health and maybe help you lose weight, notes MayoClinic.com. In moderation red wine is safe for consumption with the diet but it can cause problems for certain people. If you are an alcoholic, it may trigger a relapse. Red wine can also cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels; this can be harmful to diabetics or those that are glucose intolerant.
Caloric Intake
Foods recommended on the Mediterranean diet include nuts, red meat and starchy vegetables, which are high in calories, especially if you eat more than you should. The Mediterranean diet does not restrict caloric count and encourages you to eat all of the foods in moderation or until you feel full. To prevent weight gain, implement exercise into your daily routine. If you find yourself beginning to gain weight or you reach a plateau, replace nuts and meats with more fruits and non-starchy vegetables. Thirty minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week will help keep you in shape and your heart healthy.
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