The Rice Diet Solution - thoughts?

KnM0107

It is a ridiculous fad that many will fall for. If you do lose weight it will be because you are eating at a deficit and you can do that with any foods. Just make sure to get proper nutrition for your body and eat at a deficit. I am trying to prevent the loss of LBM, so I wouldn't go near this diet.

Kymmu

I think a few million people in some countries live like this, whether they choose to or not.

neanderthin

Well, I think I have to write a diet book with lots of glossy pictures.

SonicDeathMonkey80

I'd love to do a rice pudding diet, but I'm pretty sure my bowels would disagree

dumb_blondes_rock

Uhhh, where's the bacon?

gingersnap303

Oh dear.

Bumping this up since my doctor just put me on the diet and I'm cringing at some of the remarks.

Looks like many people haven't thoroughly researched The Rice Diet. It certainly is NOT a fad as it was developed in 1939 by Dr. Kempner and the center only closed last year. Dr. Kempner definitely had personal issues, ultimately those issues are why Duke University distanced itself and eventually severed ties. However, his work has stood the test of time.

The Rice Center may have closed, but Doctors still prescribe it for severe situations. Mine just put me on it since I gained weight rapidly and there are now certain concerns about my health (see my introduction post for more details on that). Is it restrictive? Yes. Is it unhealthy? Absolutely not. My calories will still be between 1000-1200 kcal/daily and I am being monitored weekly by my doctor while on it. And, the maintenance program is realistic once I get to it.

More on the Rice Center and its recent closure:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/09/10/rice-diet-shuts-down-north-carolina-home-after-70-years/

I just find it frustrating when I read some threads here. Anything that isn't "moderation" discounted as a fad. While there are definitely programs out there that aren't healthy and even dangerous, it isn't always the case.

Be Well,
Amanda

ETA: I just realized this thread was started 3 years ago. Not sure why it was resurrected. But hey, still throwing in my .02 cents.

jayjay12345654321

I've never found longterm success with any plan that consists of a precisely measured out and itemized menu. Before I lost weight, I tried the cabbage soup diet, the apple cider vinegar diet, the 3-day military diet, Xenadrine, Dexatrim, Lipozene, Alli, and any other quick fix I came across. I haven't heard of the rice diet, and maybe there is some validity to it, but I learned the hard way through trial and failure that my only route to success was a lifestyle change. Not a diet. I wish you luck on it, though. Hopefully, your doctor is spot on for what your body needs.

gingersnap303

I've never found longterm success with any plan that consists of a precisely measured out and itemized menu. Before I lost weight, I tried the cabbage soup diet, the apple cider vinegar diet, the 3-day military diet, Xenadrine, Dexatrim, Lipozene, Alli, and any other quick fix I came across. I haven't heard of the rice diet, and maybe there is some validity to it, but I learned the hard way through trial and failure that my only route to success was a lifestyle change. Not a diet. I wish you luck on it, though. Hopefully, your doctor is spot on for what your body needs.

A 70+ year old program originated at Duke, that doctors still prescribe for kidney, heart, blood pressure and weight loss issues? It's valid and shouldn't be lumped with the fads above. As Amy Jamieson-Petonic, an RD at the Cleveland Clinic said in the link I posted above, it's a sound diet that fell out of favor because it isn't the latest and greatest, or what people want to hear.

I had concerns too. But since I'm someone that researches the *kitten* out of something after it's prescribed to me, be it a medication or a diet. So I now know the ins and outs about Dr. Kempner and The Rice Diet. And in this case, my Dr. is using food as medication...

Be Well,
Amanda

ElfiePoo

Please, before deciding this is a 'fad' or unhealthy, read the book...not just what one website or article said. I did do the rice diet and stayed on it for a year. I started at over 300 pounds. I couldn't go to the clinic in Durham, so I just did it on my own. At the time, the rice house also ran a forum where you could get advice from Kitty Rosati at the Rice House.

When I saw the diet, I thought for sure I would be hungry all the time...800 calories to start? Low Fat? Ouch. Surprisingly, since I was always hungry on a 1200 calorie weight watchers or even a 1500 calorie Atkins, I was *never* hungry. I always saved one piece of fruit (usually berries or an apple) for a mid-meal and evening snack and the natural fruit sugar really kept my energy level stable.

Unlike others, I found that the lack of choices was a major benefit to me. On low carb, the taste of the fats and meats made me mentally crave more. The starches and natural fruit sugars on the RD satisfied me mentally and physically. I ate Boca burgers in half of a whole wheat pita with alfalfa sprouts on it for lunch, rice with banana and unsweetened almond milk poured over it for breakfast, etc. Some people here questioned the lack of protein. My favorite 'protein' was a bean/rice pot. Beans & rice make a complete protein. Eating 2/3 of a cup of rice & beans (or other allowed choices), along with about 1 and 1/2 cups of vegies and a fruit (for midmeal break) kept me full and happy...and not constantly thinking about food. I will be honest and say I ignored the 'low sodium' part of the diet. I don't have hypertension and didn't care if I held a bit of extra fluid...and actually, I found that cutting out the sodium caused me to have leg cramps.

Did I stick to it 100%? Mostly. On Thanksgiving I had turkey, gravy and potatoes and even a couple bites of pecan pie...but due to eating so little in the months prior, it didn't take much to make me feel full. On my birthday, I had lobster, butter, and a few bites of german chocolate cake...because that's all I could handle. There were a few other instances, but I'd say about 95% of the time, I was on plan.

The first week on plan, I lost 15 pounds (most of it water). Over the next year, I lost a total of 190 lbs which averages out to a little over 3.5 pounds per week. I did not exercise. I hate to exercise...but as I took off the weight I found I wanted to be more active. My husband and I would go out for a walk on nice evenings or we'd go hiking on nature trails when we traveled (which is often). Since losing my weight 10 years ago, I discovered yoga and tai chi and at the age of 60, now teach both at senior citizen centers.

Now I just eat a healthy diet and keep an eye on my weight. I give myself a 5 lb leeway and when it hits that 5 lb mark, I'm back on the RD...and usually back to my appropriate weight in 2 weeks. This is not a fad. Yes it is low fat and low calorie, but it is as varied as you want to make it. There are *lots* more choices than just rice!

Just wanted to add that the most important factor in any diet is what you can live with. Find what you can live with and what works for *you*.

leggup

Original Post: October 22, 2011
Zombie Post Rebirth: Jan, 2014

ninerbuff

I've been on a rice diet since I've been born! I eat rice almost every day. I just don't eat a lot of it. And the same goes with meat. So rice and meat..............................mmmmmm.

I couldn't personally do the rice diet mentioned above. Too restrictive for me.

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EandA85

A calorie count below 1400 plus low fat and low protein would turn me into a raging hangry lady after 12 hours, much less a week.

Vailara

Have you read "Confessions of a Carb Queen" by Susan Blech? She did the rice diet (or something that sounds very similar to this one here), actually giving up her old life and relocating just to do the diet. It sounded absolutely awful to me - so restrictive! But it seemed to work for her. She was doing it in controlled conditions at a clinic, was very overweight when she started and seemed to have serious problems with food addiction.

I found it a fascinating read. It's a very individual account, but some parts resonated with me. I'd recommend it if you're looking at the rice diet, or even if you're not!

Lleldiranne

Original Post: October 22, 2011
Zombie Post Rebirth: Jan, 2014

And bumped by someone who has allegedly been a member for 4 years, and finally chose this as their first post ever.

Sirinya55

Heck yea! Easiest diet ever!! Rice Rice Baby! (Get it? Vanilla Ice, Rice?) Nevermind :laugh:

ElfiePoo

I'm a carb addict and was sooo surprised that I had no problems staying on this even the first day...without hunger since I always felt like I was starving on WW's 1200 calorie and on a low carb diet, I'd have to eat more than 2000 calories to be 'satisfied'.

mmeyrow

Before criticizing the rice diet people should try it for a week, but buy the books and be creative with the food. Also this diet is great for people with serious health or weight issues. If you want to lose 10 to 20 lbs to look prettier this is not for you. If you want to stop shooting insulin, drop blood pressure or just have energy after work this diet is worth the work.

RINat612

:huh:

_Terrapin_

thread from October 2011 bored much?

corgicake

seems like the first week is way too low on calories to me

and the second... and third...

I'll stfu if at any point it's revealed that this diet is aimed at little people. Sadly, I doubt this is the case.

J72FIT

It's typical of every other fad diet. Complicated list of approved, and dis-approved foods at different intervals with the hidden purpose of just getting you to eat less...