Fad diets are a dime a dozen; each one promises to make you lose more weight than the other. As we all know, there is no such thing as the perfect diet and it’s important to keep this in mind when looking at any new diet that comes your way. The rice diet is one that promises great results after a given period of time. But before you decide to go on this grain-based eating plan, here is what you need to know.
What Is The Rice Diet?
The rice diet was developed as an in-patient treatment plan for diabetes and hypertension. It was designed to help control the patient’s weight as well. Unlike most fad diets, it has been around for some time now and has undergone several revisions over the years.
The rice diet plan itself is pretty straightforward: you consume no more than 40 grams of carbohydrates a day and those carbs must come from unprocessed or minimally processed grains such as brown rice or wild rice. Protein and fat intake is low throughout the program and there is very little deviation from this combination of food types.
What Does It Involve?
The rice diet plan involves a certain amount of time on the diet, rather than a set number of days or weeks. You can’t just jump off this diet after a few days because it doesn’t make you lose weight quickly enough. Since the plan is designed to help treat several health conditions, it needs to be followed for an extended period of time in order for the full effects to take place.
The plan has three phases; phase one involves eating only 800 calories a day. After this period, you gradually increase your consumption to 1200 per day.
Foods Allowed On The Rice Diet
Despite its name, this plan does not restrict you to eating rice only. It allows small portions of:
- Fresh fruits
- Fresh vegetables
- Whole grains
- Low salt beans
- Lean protein
It also recommends keeping a food journal, meditating and exercising to help you achieve physical and spiritual balance.
Will You Lose Weight?
Yes, although your results may not last long because the rice diet is highly restrictive and difficult to stick to for a long time.
Downsides Of The Rice Diet
There are a few downsides of the rice diet, namely:
Not Enough Calories
It is an extremely low-calorie diet. A person could easily become malnourished if they stay on it for too long. It restricts your consumption of certain foods, especially fruits and vegetables which offer essential nutrients for good health.
Not Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
The diet doesn’t offer enough calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for strong bones. You may have to use supplements to ensure you’re getting enough of these nutrients
Provides Less Protein Than Is Recommended
This particular fad doesn’t provide you with enough protein, which your body needs to repair itself. You need to look for other sources of protein outside of the diet plan.
Lack of Variety
The rice diet limits your food choices considerably. Switching up what foods you consume can be a good thing as it keeps your meals healthy and interesting. This is especially important if you are doing this for an extended period of time. Research shows that food monotony is associated with poor nutritional intake.
What Are The Benefits?
If done properly, this fad diet can help in the management of diabetes and hypertension. It does not require any medications or expensive treatments so most people can afford it quite easily
High In Fiber And Low In Calories
It is high in fiber and low in calories, making it a good way to lose weight.
Simple To Follow
It is simple to follow, with most meals being made up of just one or two types of food. This makes it easy to plan out your daily consumption ahead of time
Conclusion
The rice diet may not be sustainable for the long-term because you need more protein and variety in your diet than what this program provides. There are better options available which allow you to eat a more balanced diet.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
Leave a Reply