Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Kevin R. Stone, encourages his patients to dedicate themselves to their recovery by seeing themselves as an athlete. “What any athlete would do is to focus on their fitness and strength, completing many hours of training and physical therapy. They would also optimize their diet.”
This concept applies, not only to recovering patients, but to the general population as well. Stone’s article in the SF Examiner gives detailed instructions on how to fuel your fitness and improve your heath using proper nutrition, which he has named the Stone Fit diet.
“The StoneFit diet is simple: focus on lean protein, fruits and vegetables. Cut back on carbohydrates, sharply reduce processed foods and avoid all sugary drinks. Combine this with a tall glass of water each hour and an hour of exercise a day. This will reduce weight, build muscle and improve health.” Stone shuns the traditional percentage rules for measuring carbohydrates, protein, fat, etc. Instead, he suggests focusing on an overall higher protein intake.
The StoneFit Diet Basics:
1. Protein:
Focus on protein from sources such as beans, legumes, fish, and grass-fed/organic meats.
2. Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates should come from sources rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Web MD tells us that the average adult needs between 25 and 38 grams of fiber, so it is important to make sure your carbs come from high quality sources.
3. Healthy Fats:
Stone recommends that daily fat intake come from sources such as nuts, fish, and vegetable oils.
4. Water:
According to Medical Daily, an estimated 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. “The StoneFit Diet recommends a tall glass of water every hour. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water. Thirst is not always an adequate sign of dehydration.”
5. Vitamins and Minerals:
Stone is not a proponent of taking many vitamin supplements. He only recommends that women take calcium and vitamin D, but does not promote a multi-vitamin.
The StoneFit diet is a common sense approach to fueling your body for the best results in both fitness and overall health. This straightforward approach to food could be useful to a variety of people with varying wellness goals.