Vegetarian Rice Diets

People who suffer from diet-related illnesses and obesity can lose dramatic weight by following a vegetarian rice diet, according to the book, "The Rice Diet Solution," which was written by Kitty Rosati, MS, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian and Robert Rosati, MD, a cardiologist. The American Dietetic Association does not recommend performing this diet long-term and suggests consulting a health-professional, followed with a vegetarian diet that includes a variety of foods and exercise.

Week One

On the first day, eat the basic rice diet, which includes two fruits and two starches for each of three meals for a total daily maximum of 800 calories and 50mg of sodium. On the second to sixth day, eat a lacto-vegetarian diet, which includes one fruit, one starch and one serving of non-fat dairy for breakfast. A lacto-vegetarian diet essentially means no meat, poultry, seafood or eggs, but you can eat dairy. You can eat three starches, one fruit and three vegetables and for lunch and dinner. This should reach up to 1,200 calories per day. Take a daily vegetarian multivitamin throughout this diet.

Week Two

During week two, eat similarly as the previous week. Follow the basic rice diet for day one. For days two through five, eat the lacto-vegetarian rice diet. For the last day of the week, you can eat the vegetarian plus rice diet, which includes two starches for breakfast; three starches, three vegetables and one fruit for lunch; and three starches, three proteins, three vegetables and one fruit for dinner.

Week Three and On

Each week, eat the basic rice diet for one day; the lacto-vegetarian diet for four days; and the lacto-vegetarian plus rice diet for two days. Continue adding 200 more calories per week until you stop losing weight. Whole-grain starches are recommended. Try replacing the standard white rice with brown rice, which is high in fiber and nutrients. Also try quinoa, which contains fiber, folate, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and many phytochemicals and all of the essential amino-acids required of a complete protein.