Eating the Right Diet After Kidney Transplant – Guidelines

Did you know that studies evaluating the dietary intake of kidney transplant recipients found that a healthy eating pattern has been proven to lower the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases?

A kidney transplant is a major surgery that requires immense post-surgical care for faster recovery and prevention of immune rejection and infection. 

One of the ways to check complications is to take care of your diet. Knowledge of proper food to eat and fluids to drink after the transplant can help you fight your kidney problem and help to keep your new kidney healthy even if you suffer from chronic kidney disease post-transplant. 

Now, let’s learn about what food to include and what to avoid after a kidney transplant. 

Best Food and Drink for Staying Healthy After Kidney Transplant

After a kidney transplant, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for the well-being of the new kidney. Here are some tips for staying healthy after the transplant.

Fluid Intake

If the new kidney is functioning properly, it is important to drink plenty of fluid. There is no longer a need to limit fluid intake unless specified by a doctor otherwise. Dehydration can be harmful to the new kidney, so the doctors recommend 2-3 liters of fluid per day. 

Protein Consumption

In the first 2 months after the transplant, increased protein intake is necessary to aid healing from the surgery and fight infection. Protein-rich foods include lean meats, poultry, fish, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, eggs, egg substitutes, beans, peas, nuts, tofu, and other soy foods. 

Weight Management and Exercise

Eating healthy, regular exercise, and giving up smoking can aid in the recovery from a kidney transplant. Weight management is important, as obesity can increase the risk of developing new-onset diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. It is advisable to reach and maintain a healthy weight after the transplant

Foods to Avoid After Kidney Transplant 

There are certain foods that you should take after a kidney transplant, whereas there are some foods that need to be avoided completely. 

Managing Potassium and Sodium Levels After Kidney Transplant

After a kidney transplant, it’s important to manage potassium and sodium levels to maintain the health of the new kidney. Here are some guidelines for managing potassium and sodium intake:

High-Potassium Foods to Avoid

Your doctor or dietitian may advise you to avoid high-potassium foods based on your lab values. These foods include some fruits such as melon, banana, avocado, and oranges, as well as some vegetables like potato, tomato, and dark leafy greens. Additionally, chocolate, beans, lentils, nuts, nut butter, and salt substitutes should be avoided to manage potassium levels effectively. 

Limiting Sodium Intake

It is recommended to limit sodium intake to 2000-2500 mg per day to help control fluid retention and blood pressure. This involves avoiding the addition of salt to foods and steering clear of high-sodium foods such as salt seasonings,, meats, frozen meals with high sodium content, pickles, olives, canned foods with added salt, and fast food or many restaurant foods.

Impact of Transplant Medications on Phosphorus Levels

Following a kidney transplant, it is common for the body to change as the new kidney begins to function. During this period, known as the “hungry bones” phase, phosphorus levels could drop very low as the body rebuilds bones. Additionally, transplant medications can also contribute to decreased phosphorus levels. In such cases, a transplant nephrologist may prescribe pills to raise phosphorus levels, aiming for a daily intake goal of 1,500 mg of phosphorus. 

Food-Drug Interactions after Kidney Transplant 

When taking medications to keep your new kidney healthy, it’s important to follow specific guidelines to ensure their effectiveness and minimize potential side effects. Here are some important considerations for two commonly prescribed medications. 

Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF)

Side Effects 

MMF may cause diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. To better cope with these side effects, it’s recommended to try small, frequent meals or snacks. Taking MMF with a small amount of food, such as crackers or bread, can also be helpful.

Dosage Administration

It’s important to take MMF at the same time every day, with doses being at least 12 hours apart. Taking MMF with food may help lessen stomach cramping and diarrhea. It’s crucial to consult your doctor before stopping or changing the dosage of this medication, as sudden changes can lead to adverse effects

Interaction with Grapefruit Products

It’s essential to avoid grapefruit products at all times when taking Tacrolimus. Grapefruit can interfere with the metabolism of Tacrolimus, leading to potentially dangerous fluctuations in its blood levels.

Food Safety after Kidney Transplantation 

Following a kidney transplant, food safety becomes a critical part of daily routine. Transplant patients, due to the immunosuppressive medications they take to protect the new kidney, are at a higher risk of foodborne illness. Therefore, handling foods safely is essential to prevent foodborne illness, which can be very serious, even deadly. 

Foods to Avoid After Transplantation

Certain foods carry a higher risk of foodborne illness and should be avoided after a kidney transplant. These include:

• Sprouts like alfalfa or bean sprouts should be avoided.

• Raw or Undercooked Meat, Fish, and Poultry should be avoided to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

• Unpasteurized Milk, Cheese, or Yogurt should be avoided due to the risk of contamination. 

• Uncooked or Undercooked Eggs and Foods can increase the risk of foodborne illness. 

Properly washing and inspecting fruits and vegetables is important to avoid potential contamination. 

MedicoExperts Kadha – An innovative product to keep your kidney healthy

Your new kidney is prone to damage and infection and it is essential to keep it in a healthy condition. While allopathic medications can fight against the body’s system for immune rejection of your kidney, ayurvedic medication can help improve the function of the transplanted kidney. 

Along with a regulated diet,  you can take MedicoExperts Kadha, which can help to prevent the toxins in your body from having any undesired effects. 

Conclusion 

Maintaining a proper diet as suggested by your doctor is the most important step to follow post kidney transplantation. 

High levels of certain food ingredients like sodium can increase blood pressure which can be detrimental to your kidneys. On the other, low levels of certain food ingredients like protein and phosphorus can hurt your infection healing and bone health. 

Along with maintaining the perfect hygiene of your food, you can also try MedicoExperts Kadha, which will improve your kidney function and eliminate accumulated toxins from your body.

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