What Foods To Eat On The Rice Diet

The Rice Diet was created as a diet program for people who needed to lose weight due to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart or kidney disease. In 1939, Dr. Walter Kempner of Duke University's Department of Medicine developed the Rice Diet, which is low in calories, fat, protein and salt. Medically supervised dieters progress through the detox, weight-loss and maintenance phases of this limited menu diet. Rice Diet menus and instructions are now available online and in books, allowing individuals to follow the diet at home. Before attempting any diet, consult with your health care practitioner.

Detox Stage One Foods

The first part of the detox phase of the Rice Diet allows only 800 calories obtained from a limited, prescribed diet that contains no fat, no processed foods and no added salt or sugar. For breakfast, lunch and dinner on the first day, you may eat two starches, such as one slice of whole-grain bread, 1/3 c. cooked beans, 1/3 c. rice or ½ c. cooked pasta; plus two fruit servings, such as one medium-sized piece of fruit, 1 c. cut fruit or ½ banana. For people attempting the rice diet at home, the Rice Diet treatment center warns against following phase one for more than one day a week without medical supervision.

Detox Stage Two Foods

During days two through seven, the diet allows 1,000 calories per day. This is the lacto-vegetarian stage of the Rice Diet. It begins at breakfast with one starch, such as plain oatmeal or organic puffed rice or wheat cereal, and one serving of nonfat dairy, such as 1 c. milk, 1 c. yogurt or ½ c. cottage cheese. For lunch and dinner, you can eat three starches, such as whole-grain bread, tortillas, quinoa or rice and starchy vegetables; three one-cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli or carrots, and one whole piece of fruit, such as apple, blueberries or cantaloupe.

Weight Loss Phase One Foods

During the weeklong weight loss phase of the Rice Diet, you begin with a limited menu, with food allowances similar to the detox phase. As the week progresses, you may choose from a variety of foods, including grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, legumes and fish. Vegetables and nonfat dairy are permissible five days a week, and you can have a small serving of protein on the seventh day. The name Rice Diet may be somewhat confusing, because numerous foods are allowed. Only small amounts of sodium are allowed, so it is important to be aware of the sodium content of everything you eat.

Weight Loss Phase Two Foods

During the second part of the weight-loss phase, you work on developing and maintaining long-term healthy eating habits. The daily calorie limit is between 1,000 and 1,200, and the daily sodium allowance increases to 250 mg. The maintenance phase is divided into three parts, with day one allowing only starches and fruit. The weight-loss phase of the diet continues with four days of a lacto-vegetarian rice diet, which includes starches, such as rice or quinoa, nonfat dairy products and fresh vegetables and fruits. For the last two days of the weight-loss phase -- the vegetarian plus rice phase -- you can add proteins, such as fish or lean meat to the foods you are already eating as long as you stay within calorie, fat and sodium limits.

Maintenance Phase Foods

The Rice Diet recommends whole-grain starches, low-sodium beans, fresh vegetables and fruits, nonfat dairy foods, very lean protein sources and extremely low sodium. During the maintenance phase, you can increase calories by adding fish or lean poultry or beef proteins twice a week. You are also allowed to eat tofu, cheese and nuts. Your weight loss will probably slow down; this is the time to focus on the goal of managing a healthy weight. According to "The Rice Diet Solution," the guide to using the Rice Diet at home, Kitty Rosati, RD and Robert Rosati, MD, say that eating a high-fiber diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables will keep most dieters feeling satisfied. You should consult regularly with your health practitioner while on this or any diet.