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Quick Tips
Being aware of how you feel is very important to your transplant experience. You might find it helpful to use a diary to keep track of how you're feeling, both physically and emotionally.
Getting support from your friends and family can also be beneficial. Talk to them about how you want to stay healthy, and the ways that they can help you. A great way to be sure you are eating right is to get the whole family involved. Everyone can benefit from a healthy diet!
Your doctor may talk to you about your “Body Mass Index” - which compares your weight to your height, and gives you an idea of what category you’re in. To see a sample Body Mass Index chart (in PDF form), click here.
To keep your energy up, you should eat healthy foods during the day. Keeping items like these in your pantry can help you make healthy choices, even in a pinch:
- Canned beans—red kidney beans, black beans
- Frozen vegetables like peas, artichokes, asparagus, and broccoli
- Low-sugar fruits like strawberries, oranges, melons, and apples
- Fresh raw vegetables for snacking—carrots, celery, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, salad makings
- Lots of fresh vegetables for cooking – tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, beans, chard, spinach, onions, garlic
- Herbs like oregano, parsley, thyme
- Unsalted nuts
After your transplant, your doctor will prescribe medications to prevent your immune system from rejecting your new organ. The amount of medications that you take may decrease over time, but you will probably need to take anti-rejection medications for the rest of your life. Taking these and any other medications and keeping your doctor appointments are important components on the path to a successful transplant and a rich, full life with your new organ.
Special Considerations: Dialysis
If you are on dialysis, you may have to limit your intake potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. Many vegetables contain a lot of potassium, but there are ways you can treat your vegetables before eating them to limit the potassium. Ask your dietician or doctor for recommendations. Medications can help with excess phosphorus. Limit sodium from your diet, it is most useful to cut down on salt. Experiment with different spices like pepper and garlic instead of salt to satisfy your cravings for flavorful food.
Special Considerations: Diabetes
With diabetes, balancing your anti-diabetic medications (like insulin) with the food that you're eating is the key. Your healthcare team can help you determine which foods you may want to add or avoid. You may want to refer to a blood glucose table
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