The Rice Diet is a lifestyle diet to improve blood pressure, weight, and kidney problems. The diet is low-sodium and low-saturated fats including low-protein, with a focus on moderate portions and becoming a more mindful eater. A simplified daily guideline is 4 to 6 vegetables, 3 to 5 fruits, 6 to 11 starch, 1 to 2 dairy, and 1 to 3 ounces animal protein plus 0 to 4 tablespoons olive oil. A day's example could be breakfast of 1 starch, 1 nonfat dairy, and 1 fruit; lunch and dinner being 3 starches, 3 vegetables and 1 fruit.

The Rice Diet Program was founded in 1939 by Dr. Walter Kempner, who was at that time associated with Duke University. He initially treated many kidney and high blood-pressure patients using a nutrition plan based on rice and fruit. Dr. Kempner's practice and research then went on to further develop the diet and show it's results in treating different health problems.

Currently the diet has been popularized by the Rice Diet Program based in Durham NC, and a series of books by Kitty Gurkin Rosati.

References

• The RICE Diet Report, Judy Moscovitz (1988)
• Heal Your Heart, The New Rice Diet Progam, Kitty Gurkin Rosati (1996)
• The Rice Diet Cookbook, Kitty Gurkin Rosati (2007)

External Links

• The Rice Diet Program home page
• The Rice Diet Solution at WebMD
• Rice Diet description at everydiet.org