How to Take Precautions on the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is one of the hottest diets on the market right now. The diet emphasizes healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Drinking a glass of red wine with meals is even encouraged. While the diet seems pretty simple, there are a few precautions that you should take when following the Mediterranean Diet.

Things You'll Need

• Water bottle
• Food journal
• Fruit-scrubbing brush
• Walking shoes

Instructions

1. Wash all fruits and vegetables before they are consumed. Fruits and vegetables are a large part of the Mediterranean Diet. Chemicals may be used on vegetables and fruits when they are harvested. You want to make sure to get the fruit as clean as possible before you consume it. A fruit-scrubbing brush is a great tool to keep handy.

2. Don’t overindulge in the fats. While the Mediterranean Diet focuses on healthy fats such as olive oil, it is important to not overindulge in these fats. If you consume too much fat, whether it's healthy or not, the extra fat will be stored as fat on your body. In other words, you'll gain weight. Just remember, the trick is moderation.

3. Keep a log book or food journal to track what you eat. Many people don’t realize all of the calories they consume on a daily basis until they see it in writing. Portion control is important, even when you're following a healthy eating plan such as the Mediterranean Diet. This will help you put your nutrition goals into perspective. It’s also a great way to keep track of the water you consume.

4. Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water is important for everyone, especially if you're trying to be healthier. Carry around a bottle of water with you to ensure that you always have water at your disposal. This simple step will make it easier to meet your daily water-consumption goals.

5. Always remember to wear good walking shoes. The Mediterranean Diet is part of a lifestyle, not just a meal plan. Daily walks are a large part of living this lifestyle. Wearing proper shoes will prevent injuries and keep you comfortable while you’re exercising.

Resources

• Information from the Mayo Clinic about the Mediterranean Diet