Rice diet facts for kids

The Rice Diet started as a special way to treat very high blood pressure. It was created before good medicines for blood pressure existed. The original diet was very strict and done in a hospital. Today, some versions are much easier to follow. But some people call the modern versions "fad diets" because they might not be balanced.

How the Diet Started

The Rice Diet Program was created in 1939 by Dr. Walter Kempner. He was a doctor who came to the United States from Germany. Dr. Kempner worked at Duke University.

Many of his patients had very dangerous high blood pressure and kidney problems. At that time, there were no good medicines to help these patients. Dr. Kempner believed that if he greatly reduced the work for the kidneys, they might heal. So, he decided to treat patients with a diet of only rice and fruit. Surprisingly, many patients quickly got better.

The Original Strict Diet

Dr. Kempner's diet was very strict. Patients had to stay in the hospital for several weeks when they started. They stopped all their usual medicines. The diet included:

• White rice
• Sugar
• Fruit and fruit juices
• Vitamins and iron

This diet provided about 2000 calories each day. It had very little protein and very little salt. If patients showed good results, small amounts of lean meat and vegetables were added later.

Dr. Kempner shared his amazing results in 1946. He showed clear proof that his diet helped patients. This included blood pressure charts and pictures of their eyes. He said his diet was "monotonous and tasteless." But he also said it worked and was better than dying from the illness.

Modern Versions of the Diet

Dr. Kempner stopped working at Duke University in 1974. By then, new medicines for high blood pressure were available. This meant fewer people needed such a strict diet to save their lives.

In 2002, the program became separate from Duke University. In 2013, the Rice House Healthcare Program opened. This is a place where people can stay and follow a diet similar to Dr. Kempner's original plan. They are watched closely by doctors.

Influence on Plant-Based Diets

The Rice Diet has also influenced some people who support plant-based diets. For example, Dr. John A. McDougall has said that many well-known doctors who promote plant-based eating were inspired by Dr. Kempner's work.

The Rice Diet has also become popular through modern books. These books offer easier versions of the diet.

• Judy Moscovitz's book, The Rice Diet Report, allows fruits, vegetables, and other carbohydrates.
• Kitty and Robert Rosati's book, The Rice Diet Solution, describes their plan as a "low-sodium, good-carb, detox diet." It focuses on eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans.

Criticisms of the Diet

The modern versions of the Rice Diet are sometimes called "fad diets." People have pointed out some possible problems:

• The food choices can be boring.
• It might cause flatulence (gas).
• People might feel too hungry.

Most people find it hard to follow the Rice Diet for a long time because it is very strict. Some experts say the diet does not fit with the best science of today. Nutritionist Yvette Quantz has said that while the diet might have some good short-term benefits, it does not provide enough calories or protein for most people to keep up with it in the long run.