Rice is a staple food in many countries and since 1939 has been the basis for the Rice Diet. Developed at Duke University and touted in several books, the Rice Diet relies on a low-calorie diet based on grains, fruit and vegetables to help people lose weight and control diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
History
Dr. Walter Kempner developed the Rice Diet in 1939 at Duke University. According to "The Rice Diet Solution," Dr. Kempner was treating an obese woman with hypertension and suggested she try a diet of only rice and fruit for two weeks. Two months later the woman had lost weight, lowered her blood pressure to normal, and was in good health. Dr. Kempner began prescribing the diet to other patients and noted encouir and an in-patient treatment for patients suffering from high blood pressure, and diabetes. Patients reported to the university hospital three times a day for meals or rice, fruit and fruit juice and dietary supplements and were checked by a doctor each morning. Using this diet, patients experienced rapid weight loss along with a drop in blood pressure and blood sugar. Some patients showed reversal of diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Program Today
The Rice Diet Program in Durham, North Carolina, administers the Rice Diet today. This medically supervised inpatient program offers classes, support groups, counseling and behavior modification training in addition to the Rice Diet meals to foster rapid weight loss and control of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Program participants reports dramatic results, such as the loss of 25 lbs. in six weeks or 100 lbs. in six months.
The Book
Two books, "The Rice Diet Solution" and "The Rice Diet Renewal," written by Dr. Robert Rosatti, a staff physician at the Rice Diet Program and his wife, Kitty Gurkin Rosatti, promoted the Rice Diet to those who could not afford the in-patient program in North Carolina. The books explain the basis for the program and give sample menus combining fruit and grains, including rice, but also barley, whole wheat bread, lean meats and fish, vegetables and non-fat dairy. The books advise participants to drink lots of water and avoid caffeine, sugar and salt.
Benefits
The Rice Diet is low in calories, fat and sodium. It contains very little sugar. The whole grains, vegetables and fruit provide plenty of fiber and good nutrition, though Dr. Rosatti advises participants to take a daily multi-vitamin while on the diet. The menus aren't solely rice-based, so they offer variety, and the books describe how to substitute foods in all the menus, making it easy to leave out foods you don't like in favor of foods you do like.
Negatives
Food with no fat, no salt and so sugar can taste bland. Very low calorie diets like this can be difficult to stick to for the long term. People who buy the book and don't participate in the in-patient supervised program could have health problems if they don't follow the diet correctly or remain on it too long. You should always consult your doctor before embarking on any diet program and discontinue the diet if you realize any ill effects. The diet may be lacking in some nutrients, so you should take a mult-vitamin pill daily while on the diet.
References
- Rice Diet Program: What Is the Rice Diet?
- "The Rice Diet Solution: Kitty Gurkin Rosatti and Robert Rosatti"; 2005
- EveryDiet.org: Rice Diet
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