Pediatric kidney transplantation part 112

Nutrition and diet after kidney transplant

Diet plays a very important role in promoting good health and wellbeing after a kidney transplant. This is done by eating a well-balanced, varied, and heart-healthy diet. Following transplant, children should follow heart-healthy food guidelines. These include:

• Eating fruits and vegetables
• Choosing whole grains, lean meats and alternatives, low-fat dairy products, and unsaturated oil
• Limiting foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat and low in nutrients

Some immunosuppressant medications, especially steroids, can make children very hungry, increase their cholesterol levels, and cause them to gain weight. To reduce  the risk of high cholesterol and unhealthy weight gain, have healthy foods and snacks available for your child. Consider fruits, chopped vegetables, low-fat yoghurt, or milk and cereal.