Walter Kempner developed the Rice Diet in 1939 while working at Duke University's Department of Medicine. He found that a diet with rice as a staple food helped improve the quality of life for patients with various medical conditions, including diabetes and hypertension. The diet continues to be used today for obese patients as a kick-start to a long-term weight loss program and for people with certain medical conditions.
Foods
Despite its name, the Rice Diet incorporates several food choices, though choices are very limited in the beginning phase of the program. The diet consists of meals broken down into categories which include starches, non-fat dairy items, vegetables, fruits and lean protein sources. The program also focuses on limiting sodium and fat intake, particularly saturated fat, as a way of detoxifying the body.The Rice Diet does not require you to count calories. Instead, the program focuses on predetermined portion sizes for each food category.
Phase 1
The Rice Diet includes three basic phases. During the first day of phase one, you are allowed two starches and two fruits for each of your three meals. The other six days of phase one allow one starch, one non-fat dairy and one serving of fruit for breakfast and three starches, three vegetables and one fruit each for lunch and dinner.
Phases Two and Three
Phase two of the Rice Diet may last from one week to several depending on your individual weight-loss goals and your doctor's recommendation. The first day of each week of phase two consists of two starches and two fruits for each meal, just as in phase one. From day two to day six, you may have one starch, one non-fat dairy and two fruits for breakfast; three starches, three vegetables and one fruit for lunch; and three starches, three vegetables and one fruit for dinner. Day seven of phase two allows for two starches and one fruit for breakfast; four starches, three vegetables and one fruit for lunch; and two starches, two vegetables, one fruit and three servings of lean protein for dinner.
Phase three is considered the maintenance phase of the diet. It keeps the same first day as the other two phases but incorporates more calories to slow down weight loss by adding protein to the dinner menu for the other six days of the week.
Considerations
The Rice Diet incorporates very little meat, and the first two phases of the program are almost entirely meat-free. If your current diet includes meat with every meal, you may find the Rice Diet plan difficult to stick to, particularly in the beginning. Eating on the go or dining out can prove difficult on the plan, especially during the first two phases since most prepared food contains added sodium or saturated fat. Adhering to the program requires you to shop for fresh produce that you can take with you to work or when you're on the go.
Warning
Always talk to your doctor before beginning any diet or weight-loss program. The Rice Diet often results in rapid weight loss, and this is not ideal for everyone. If your doctor is not familiar with the Rice Diet, make sure to include the fact that the diet includes very little sodium. Tell your doctor about any medications and supplements you currently take to minimize the risk of negative side effects or serious complications, caution in Kitty Gurkin Rosati, M.S., R.D., LDN., and Robert Rosati, M.D., in "The Rice Diet Solution."
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