The diet is unsuitable for weight management as it can cause muscle loss and nutritional deficiency.

Kidney Disease

The diet was initially used as a therapeutic regimen for patients with kidney disease.

The diet helped some patients a lot, which led them to strongly support Dr. Kempner and his diet.

Woman serving rice out of rice cooker

Stefan Tomic / Getty Images

This positive feedback encouraged other doctors to recommend the rice diet to their patients as well.

Are There Any Benefits Today?

Not getting enough essential fats and protein can affect the body’s functions and overall health.

Aviv Joshua, MS

Phase 1: Detox

The first phase of the rice diet is designed as a detox period.

During this phase, the diet is extremely restrictive, focusing solely on rice and fruit.

Its restrictive nature may also lead to other health risks and psychological effects.

Long-term health and effective weight management are best achieved through a balanced, varied diet and sustainable lifestyle changes.

Klemmer P, Grim CE, Luft FC.Who and what drove Walter Kempner?

2006

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Exercise prevents muscle loss from low-protein diets.

Most J, Redman LM.Impact of calorie restriction on energy metabolism in humans.Exp Gerontol.

2020;133:110875. doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110875

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating right for chronic kidney disease.