Background
Unlike fad diets of unknown or dubious origin, such as the cabbage soup diet and the lemonade diet, the Rice Diet was first conceived in 1934 by Walter Kempner, a Duke University Department of Medicine physician. During the course of his research on how diet affected medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, Kempner noted that these conditions were rare in places where rice was eaten as a staple food. Kempner developed the Rice Diet program and used it to treat more than 18,000 patients worldwide. Kempner, who passed away in 1997, retired from the Rice Diet program in 1994.
In 2005, "The Rice Diet Solution" was published by dietitian Kitty Rosati and her husband, Robert Rosati, a cardiologist. The Rosatis also started an outpatient program in Durham, North Carolina, to treat patients for obesity and medical conditions that were of concern to Kempner--diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and renal disease. Patients from all over the world congregate at the Rice House to eat three daily meals, as well as receive medical care, group therapy, nutritional instruction, stress management and daily exercise. The Rice Diet is the cornerstone of the Rosati's treatment program.
Food Types
Fortunately for dieters who want to try the Rice Diet at home, there's more on the menu than just rice, although the Rice Diet doesn't have an extremely expansive list of "safe to eat" food types. The Rice Diet also includes fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, fish and beans. In lieu of rice, grains such as quinoa, barley, steel cut oats and millet are allowed. The Rice Diet does not include caffeinated beverages, as coffee and tea may cause cardiac arrhythmia, but allows the decaf version of these drinks. Refined sugar is forbidden, and the Rice Diet discourages consumption of alcohol, sugar substitutes and powdered creamer.
Low Sodium
Compared to the average daily sodium intake of between 4,000 and 7,000 milligrams, the Rice Diet Program notes that only 500 milligrams of sodium are necessary. Salt not only causes water retention but stimulates the appetite and poses as a particular problem for those with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems and diabetes.
Various Rice Diets
The Rice Diet consists of three "sub-diets" that are implemented in various phases. The 800-calorie Basic Rice Diet consists of two starches and two fruits, three meals a day. The 1,000-calorie Lacto Vegetarian Diet includes one starch, one fruit and one serving of nonfat dairy for breakfast; for lunch and dinner, dieters eat three starches, three vegetables and one fruit. The 1,200-calorie Vegetarian Plus Rice Diet includes two starches and one fruit for breakfast; three starches, three vegetables and one fruit for lunch; and three starches, three servings of protein (or dairy), three vegetables and one fruit for dinner. Meat, typically fish, is introduced in the Vegetarian Plus Rice Diet.
The Rice Diet Phases
The first week or "phase" of the Rice Diet may be the toughest. Dieters consume the Basic Rice Diet on the first day and eat the Lacto Vegetarian Rice Diet for the next six days. Information from the Rice Diet website states that Phase I is comprised of 5 percent fat, 6 percent protein and (roughly) 89 percent carbohydrates. Rice Diet program staff don't advise dieters to complete this stringent phase of the diet at home without medical supervision.
Phase II of the Rice Diet allows dieters to eat the Basic Rice Diet on the first day, the Lacto Vegetarian Rice Diet for the next five days, and the Vegetarian Plus Rice Diet on the seventh day. This phase of the Rice Diet is made up of 7 percent fat, 13 percent protein and 80 percent carbohydrates.
Phase III of the diet--which is carried over into the maintenance phase of the diet--instructs dieters to consume the Basic Rice Diet on the first day of the week and the Lacto Vegetarian Rice Diet for the next four days. Dieters consume the Vegetarian Plus Rice Diet for the last two days. Phase III is between 10 and 20 percent fat, 15 percent protein and between 65 and 75 percent carbohydrates.
Exercise
The Rice Diet differs from other fad diets in that exercise, which is included in the treatment program at the Durham clinic, is strongly encouraged to make the diet work most effectively. Rice Diet program coordinator Jayne Charles notes that walking is the best form of exercise, as long as dieters don't get out of breath.
What Experts Say
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) notes that any diet that provides less than 1,200 calories daily will result in rapid weight loss. However, along with restricted calories is the risk of fainting (due to low blood pressure) and fatigue. The Rice Diet is deficient in calcium and vitamin D, so nutritional supplements must be taken. The ADA notes that because the Rice Diet is so rigid, without the clinical and psychological support tools provided at the Rice House program, dieters are unlikely to achieve long-term success.
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