rice diet [Gk, oryza, rice, diaita, way of living] , a diet consisting only of rice, fruit, fruit juices, and sugar, supplemented with vitamins and iron. Salt is forbidden. It is prescribed for the treatment of hypertension, chronic renal disease, and obesity. It should not be followed for any length of time because the severe dietary restrictions may lead to nutritional deficiencies or imbalance. Also called Kempner rice-fruit diet.
