The Rice Diet Program is a complete, comprehensive healthy eating and lifestyle plan that begins in a residential setting. In addition to hypertension, the Rice Diet program is designed to treat those with congestive heart failure, obesity and diabetes. The program also provides classes and workshops for stress management, exercise and other topics related to nutrition and preventative medicine.
History and Theory
The original diet was developed in 1934 by a German researcher named Walter Kempner of Duke University's School of Medicine. Originally created for treating high blood pressure, he recommended that a patient consume only unrefined, whole brown rice and fruit for two weeks. The story is that she misunderstood and followed this restricted diet for two months and the Rice Diet was born. Kempner's theory was that many chronic health conditions stem from a lack of circulating oxygen. This diet, along with exercise, would bring more oxygen into the tissues. According to Kempner, increasing overall oxygen in the body offered significant health benefits.
The Rice House
This program starts with an inpatient stay at the Rice House located in Durham, North Carolina and involves more than eating healthy meals. Patients are monitored by a staff of medical professionals. Other staff includes registered dietitians, therapists, certified stress management instructors and exercise physiologists. They teach classes and conduct workshops designed help residents change the way they live and cope with environmental factors that may prevent them from embracing optimum health. Knowledge and skills learned at the Rice House are designed to help patients once they leave the facility. It is not essential to become a resident to follow this program as there are books and online forums.
Menus
On this 12-week program, participants begin on a very restricted diet. Meals on day one include only two servings each of starch and fruit. Days two through seven are more liberal and breakfast includes one serving of starch, one serving of non-fat dairy and two fruits. For lunch and dinner participants can choose three servings from each starches and vegetables as well as one fruit. They may choose from a list of over 30 menu items, including some fish and beans for protein. In honor of the original diet, there are several types of rice available. The diet is extremely low in sodium (less than 1,000 mg.). Herbs and spices are used to flavor food instead.
Maintenance Diet and Health Outcomes
The modified Rice Diet, also known as Phase Two, consists of fruits, grains vegetables, beans and olive oil with small quantities of non-fat dairy products, fish, and some lean meats. However, the diet is still nearly salt-free so it is essential for individuals to prepare most meals from scratch and avoid all processed foods. Because the diet is so restrictive, participants can lose a significant amount of weight which may reverse obesity-induced Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Sodium restriction is recommended for congestive heart failure (fluid around the heart that impairs proper circulation). There are many testimonials from followers that have improved their health and lost weight on this program.
Eastern Philosophies
Also known as the "Rice Dieta," this lifestyle program embraces Eastern philosophies. Dieta is Greek for "way of life." The book based upon this program entitled "The Rice Diet Solution: The World-Famous Low-Sodium, Good-Carb, Detox Diet for Quick and Lasting Weight Loss" features stress management strategies which are touted as keys to program success. Recommended Eastern practices include meditation and yoga. There are resources designed to improve emotional health and an online forum where diet followers can receive emotional support. However, some followers feel that the Zen Buddhist/ Eastern philosophy wisdom included in the book is confusing and slightly out of place with the original program concepts and goals.
Member Comments