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Kidney transplant can enable end stage renal failure patients to regain kidney function, get rid of dialysis and return to normal social activities. Many patients assume that they can eat anything they want especially those they have been restricted for years during kidney failure. Especially in the holiday of Christmas, it is very likely that many kidney transplant patients may become indulged in some foods. Actually this is not true because the transplanted kidney is still susceptible to potential damages if patients do not pay more attention to daily nursing cares especially if the underlying cause of renal failure still exists. There are many parameters that need to be closely monitored including creatinine, urine protein, potassium and phosphorus as well as organ rejections so as to keep the new kidney healthy and reduce the risk of complications and infections. Therefore it is necessary to know what are the proper diets and nursing cares on Christmas for patients after kidney transplant.
1. Protein. During the first month after kidney transplant, your body is still in a state of recovery, adequate protein intake is necessary for promoting recovery from both years of kidney failure and the surgery. Besides turkey, you can also eat more lean meat, fish, poultry and low-fat chicken breasts, dairy products and whole grains to aid recovery and build up physical strength. It is better to have homemade turkeys and meats than highly processed meats like ham, bacon, corned beef, bologna and salami which are high in salt and are not good for controlling blood pressure. As for vegetarians, they can choose peanut butter, soy products and beans, etc.
2. Phosphorus. Before kidney transplant, patients have to limit phosphorus intake. While after kidney transplant, the body will be able to rebuild the bone mass lost during renal failure and the level of blood phosphorus will decrease dramatically, therefore patients need to supply foods that are high in phosphorus but low in fat such as whole-grain foods and low-fat dairy products like low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese.
3. Potassium. The medicines and drugs that you take after kidney transplant will increase blood potassium level, therefore you should not eat too much high potassium vegetables and fruits during Christmas such as potatoes, tomatoes, split peas, leafy greens, banana, nectarines and oranges,etc.
4. Sugar and desserts. Desserts are indispensable part in Christmas. However kidney transplant patients should limit the intake of high-sugar desserts because steroid and anti-rejection medicines can alter sugar metabolism and lead to high blood sugar. Avoid cakes, pies, ice cream and soft drinks and instead have some low-sugar cookies.
There are usually two common problems for kidney transplant patients are weight gain and high cholesterol level. This is due to good appetite the healthy kidney brings and the medicines such as prednisone. To avoid dangerous level of weight gain and cholesterol, patients can follow these suggestions:
1. Limit foods that are high in calories and fat.
2. Have more high fiber foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits, pasta and whole grains.
3. Have proper regular exercises.
Proper food and nutrition is far from enough. Since patients need to take immunosuppressants after kidney transplant, it is very important for them to pay more attention to some sanitary measures---clean all foods separately before preparing them, wash hands and avoid crowds. Besides, patients should adhere to prescribed medicines and follow the doctors' advice on alcohol, tobacco and exercises.
