NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY NEVER take medications or

NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY

Medications, Recreational Substances and Supplements

Many medications and supplements can interact with your transplant medications. This can cause you

to feel unwell and can even lead to severe problems including the loss of your transplanted organ. Any

time you plan to change, start, or stop a medication, please call the transplant office and ask to speak

to your coordinator.

In general, we do not recommend ANY herbal supplements after transplant. There are a few reasons for

this:

 Manufacturers are not required to prove an herbal product is effective or safe.

 Herbal products are not standardized. You may get different amounts of the ingredients in each

bottle of an herbal product, even if it is the same manufacturer.

 There is often little information on how herbal supplements interact with transplant

medications. Without knowing if a supplement may hurt you, we would recommend that you do

not use it.

Some of your transplant medications can cause your body to lose vitamins and minerals. Based upon

your routine blood work, your transplant team may ask you to take more or less vitamins and/or

supplements. While most vitamins and minerals are safe to take, please do not take them unless

approved by your transplant team.

Food

Most foods and drinks are completely safe for you to take after transplant. Please AVOID grapefruit,

pomegranate, pomelo, blood orange, and black licorice, as these can increase the amount of anti-

rejection medication in your body and this could harm you. Marijuana in any form can increase drug

levels of your rejection medications and should never be used. Some spices in large amounts may effect

drug levels, such as ginger and turmeric.

NEVER take medications or supplements without calling the transplant office

This includes herbals, homeopathic products, vitamins, and minerals.

This includes medications prescribed by anyone that is not a part of the transplant team.

Do NOT TAKE foods that contain: pomegranate, pomelo, grapefruit, black licorice,

marijuana, and marijuana derived products (which included CBD oil and hemp seeds).

Please refer to Food Safety for Transplant Recipients: A need-to-know guide for bone marrow and solid

organ transplant recipients for more information.

https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/UCM312793.pdf

For more information on food safety, food outbreaks as well as general food safety recommendations:

http://www.foodsafety.gov/∼dms/lmrisks5.html.

NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY

Food Safety

Immunosuppressive medications are important, as they protect your transplanted organ. A side effect

of these medications is that they leave you more susceptible to developing foodborne illness from raw

or undercooked foods. After transplant you must be careful when handling, preparing, and consuming

foods.

Four Basic Steps to Food Safety:

1. Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often

2. Separate: Separate raw meats from other foods

3. Cook: Cook to safe temperature

4. Chill: Refrigerate promptly

SAFE EATING TIPS:

 Ensure all food is properly cooked

 Do NOT eat any raw or undercooked meats,

proteins, dairy or egg products; this includes

sushi, raw cookie dough/cake batter, over-easy

eggs

 Reheat all leftovers

 Microwave or cook all lunch meats

 Avoid buffets

 Do not use wooden cutting boards

 Use separate cutting boards/utensils for raw

meats

 Make sure all products are pasteurized

 Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly

 Only eat at safe, clean, trusted restaurants

 Do not eat food that has been sitting out or exposed to direct sunlight, such as at picnics

NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY

Type of Food

AVOID

SAFE

Meat and

Poultry

• Raw or undercooked meat or poultry

• Meat or poultry cooked to a safe

minimum internal temperature

*Use a meat thermometer to check

the internal temperature of food

Seafood

• Any raw or undercooked fish, or shellfish, or

food containing raw or undercooked seafood

e.g., sashimi, found in some sushi or ceviche.

Refrigerated smoked fish

• Partially cooked seafood, such as shrimp and

crab

• Previously cooked seafood heated

to 165 °F

• Canned fish and seafood

• Seafood cooked to 145 °F

Milk

• Unpasteurized (raw) milk

• Pasteurized milk

Eggs

Foods that contain raw/under cooked eggs, such

as:

• Homemade Caesar salad dressings*

• Homemade raw cookie dough*

• Homemade eggnog

At home:

• Use pasteurized eggs/egg

products when preparing recipes

that call for raw or under cooked

eggs

When eating out:

• Ask if pasteurized eggs were used

and yolks cooked

*Most pre-made foods from

grocery stores, such as Caesar

dressing, pre-made cookie dough,

or packaged eggnog are made with

pasteurized eggs

Sprouts

• Raw sprouts (alfalfa, bean, or any other

sprout)

• Cooked sprouts

Vegetables

• Unwashed fresh vegetables, including

lettuce/salads

• Washed fresh vegetables,

including salads

• Cooked vegetables

Cheese

• Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized (raw)

milk, such as:

— Feta

— Brie

— Camembert

— Blue-veined

— Queso fresco

• Hard cheeses

• Processed cheeses

• Cream cheese

• Mozzarella

• Soft cheeses that are clearly

labeled “made from pasteurized

milk”

Hot Dogs and

Deli Meats

• Hot dogs, deli meats, and luncheon meats that

have not been reheated

• Hot dogs, luncheon meats, and

deli meats reheated to steaming

hot or 165 °F

*Reheat hot dogs, deli meats

before eating them.

Pâtés

• Unpasteurized, refrigerated pâtés or meat

spreads

• Canned or shelf-stable pâtés or

meat spreads

HEALTHY NUTRITION

A healthy diet is just as important after lung transplant as it was before transplant. The focus after

transplant centers around providing adequate calories and nutrients for wound healing and getting you

back on your feet as quickly as possible. As you heal, recommendations may change. After the first few

months, you may need to make adjustments to your diet. You, along with a dietitian, will come up with

health goals and an eating plan that will keep you safe and meets your specific nutritional needs.

Your diet immediately following surgery:

1. Eat higher amounts of protein to help with wound healing. Extra protein may also be needed to

help prevent muscle breakdown related to high doses of steroids.

Protein rich foods:

 Fish, poultry, beef, lamb, pork

 Nuts and seeds

 Dairy products, eggs

 Soy products, legumes or lentils

2. Reduce sodium if you have fluid retention or high blood pressure.

Limit your intake of:

 Canned Soups

 Processed meats/lunch meats

 Frozen entrees

 Convenience and processed foods

 Condiments

 Fast Foods

3. Eat a variety of different foods to ensure you get adequate nutrients for recovery.

4. Limit simple carbohydrates to manage elevated blood sugars (can be worse on prednisone)

5. Watch potassium levels. You may need to limit intake of potassium rich foods because of

elevated potassium level due to cyclosporine or tacrolimus. Diuretics used to help manage fluid

retention, may lower potassium. A list of foods high and low in potassium is on the next page.

Achieve or Maintain Healthy Body Weight

Increased hunger due to long-term steroid use, lack of exercise, fluid retention, and poor eating habits

can lead to unwanted weight gain. It is important that you maintain or achieve a healthy weight to

reduce the risk of developing diseases associated with being overweight. Speak with your transplant

dietitian about strategies to help you reach your healthy weight.

Keys to weight management:

1. Portion control

2. Choose whole grains, beans, lean meats, vegetables, fruit and low fat dairy products.

3. Drink plenty of water

4. Limit foods high in sugar, simple carbohydrates and calories.

5. Establish an exercise regimen after talking with transplant team.

In addition to weight gain, post-transplant medications can put you at risk for diabetes, heart disease,

and bone disease. These conditions are discussed later in the book (see page 63).

Foods High in Potassium

Potassium is important in maintaining a healthy heart, nerves, and muscles. High potassium levels, a

condition known as hyperkalemia, can be caused by dehydration, kidney disease, and medications. Low

potassium levels, or hypokalemia, can be caused by vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and medications

Foods High in Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that your body uses to help muscle movement and build strong bones and teeth.

High calcium levels can be caused by kidney disease, and some medications. Low calcium levels is

common because most adults do not get enough dairy in their diet. It can be caused by medications,

kidney disease, and low vitamin-D levels.

HIGH

MODERATE

LOW

FRUITS

Apricots, avocados, bananas,

figs, dates, raisins, prunes,

orange juice, coconut water,

mango, papaya

Apples, pears, blackberries,

cherries, peaches, cantaloupe,

oranges, nectarines, kiwi,

honeydew, strawberries,

pineapple

Applesauce, blueberries,

cranberries/juice

VEGETABLES

Pumpkin, white & sweet

potatoes, rutabaga, winter

squash, lentils, tomato

juice/sauce, vegetable broth,

dried beans, peas, spinach

Asparagus, broccoli, Brussel

sprouts, cabbage, corn, kale,

cauliflower, collard greens,

cucumber, green pepper,

mushrooms, peas, chili pepper,

okra, chili pepper, okra, onion,

Carrots, green beans

MEAT/CHEESE/STARCH

Walnuts, pecans, almonds,

peanuts, cashews, bran, whole

grains

Cereal, pasta, mayonnaise,

noodles, bread, butter,

margarine, cream, salad

dressing

OTHER

Salt substitute

Chocolate, cocoa, coconut, milk,

ice cream, molasses

Jam, jelly, cake, cookies, soda,

coffee, tea, sugar substitute

Molasses

Bok choy

Broccoli

Canned salmon

Canned sardines

Cheeses

Collard greens

Dairy products

Enriched bread

Legumes

Tofu

Nuts

Okra

Pinto beans

Spinach

Yogurt

Calcium fortified cereals

Calcium fortified orange juice

Foods High in Iron

Iron is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body. If your body does not have enough iron,

your red blood cells cannot carry oxygen efficiently, and you can feel tired. Low iron is common. Meats

have the best source of digestible iron.

Fortified cereals

Whole grain or enriched

breads

Lentil

Baked potato with skin

Beans

Clams

Eggs

Fish

Kale

Liver and organ meats

Mustard greens

Oysters

Spinach

Pumpkin seeds

Firm tofu

Foods High in Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that helps to regulate your muscles, nerves, and heart. Low magnesium levels

can be caused by decreased absorption, diarrhea, and some transplant medications; and may make you

feel weak.

Cereals: bran flakes, oatmeal

Nuts & seeds

Broccoli

Peas and beans

Green leafy vegetables

Avocado

Brown Rice

Milk

Beef

Fish

Prunes

Soybeans

Firm tofu

Spinach

Foods High in Sodium

Sodium is used by the body to help control fluid balance, if you have too much, you can get swelling or

high blood pressure. Most canned, pre-prepared foods, snacks, and restaurant meals are too high in

sodium and you may be eating too much salt even if you don’t add salt to your food. Check nutrition

labels to become aware of the sodium in the food you eat low sodium levels can be caused by too much

water intake, as well as medications.

 Most restaurant food

 Fast food

 Smoked, cured,

salted meat

 Deli meats

 Frozen dinners

 Canned vegetables

and beans

 Canned soups

 Salted nuts

 Cheese

 Olives

 Pickles

 Pasta Sauces

 Soy Sauce

 Marinades and salad

dressing

Practice Reading a Nutrition Label: Worksheets

It can be difficult to keep track of all the calories, sodium, cholesterol and carbohydrates in your diet.

Nutrition Labels can help you! Use the following questions to review and practice how to use nutrition

labels.

Answers to nutrition label sheet:

1. 60 x 21 = 1206 calories

2. 20 gram carbs

3. and 4. 80 calories from carbs and 27 calories from fat (2 serving x1.5gm/serv x 9cal/gm)

5. 890 mg sodium/serving x 2.5 serving/can = 2225 mg sodium

6. 2225- 1500 =725 mg more than recommended amount

7. If 1 serving has 4 %, 5 servings needed for 20% fiber requirement

8. 60 cal/serv x 5 servings= 300 calories

STRATEGIES FOR SAFE LIVING

Your anti-rejection medicines may leave

you vulnerable to infections. Infections

that might have caused minor symptoms

prior to transplant, can quickly become

more serious after transplant. It is

important to follow the recommendations

below to keep you healthy and have a

good quality of life. They are adapted

from the American Society of

Transplantation, and represent expert

guidance.

ALWAYS wash hands with soap and water

 Before preparing food and before

eating

 Before and after touching wounds (even if gloves are used), secretions, body fluids, airways

 After touching or cleaning up after pets and animals

 After touching items that touch human or animal feces, (e.g., bedpans, diapers, toilets)

 You should ask other household members to change diapers or litter boxes but if it is

unavoidable, than please wash hands afterwards

 Hand sanitizers are safe to use if you don’t suspect diarrhea

Prevention of Respiratory Infections

 Wear a mask. Keep with you at all times, to use in clinic and

hospital areas, and anytime you are in a crowded areas,

especially during cold /flu season (October to April).

 Always wash your hands, particularly before touching your nose,

mouth and eyes

AVOID

 Persons with colds or respiratory infections.

 If you cannot avoid contact with the infected person, wear a

mask.

 Crowded indoor areas, especially during months 1-6 or if you are on

high dose prednisone.

 This includes: shopping malls, subways, airport waiting areas.

Try going to stores and restaurants at off peak times, or using

the airport lounge for a quiet place to rest.

 ALL tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke. Smoke puts your

lungs at risk for infections.

 Fireplaces and fire pits; wear a mask if unable to avoid.

 Marijuana smoke: it can carry mold infections to any patient nearby.

 People with known tuberculosis or who are at risk for tuberculosis.

 This includes working in prisons, jails, homeless shelters etc.

Wear a Mask

Always Wash your Hands

Avoid people that may have

colds or infections

AVOID

 Jobs with a high infection risk, such as animal care settings, construction, gardening,

landscaping, farming, and working with young children under age of 5 (preschools etc.).

 If you are thinking any of these jobs, please discuss with your transplant team.

 Home remodeling, construction sites, excavations, or other dusty environments

 There may be a high risk of invasive mold.

 Gardening, mulching, and raking leaves due to risk of mold.

 Cutting grass is usually fine but you should wear a mask. A “N95 “mask is

recommended; if wearing a surgical mask change it every 20 minutes.

If you can’t avoid exposure to any of the above, please wear masks and reach out to your transplant

team for further advice.

We do NOT recommend body piercings, and tattoos because they require a break in the skin, which can

lead to infection as well. Self-piercing or tattooing or sharing of needles should be avoided at all costs.

WATER SAFETY

 City tap is water is considered safe unless there is a “boil water” advisory

 Avoid drinking well water in areas that are not

screened regularly

 If using a water filter, use a filter with the lab

NSF 53 or 58 plus cyst reduction/removal

 Standing water in the home or basement, such

as with flooding, should be cleaned up

immediately to avoid mold and other infections.

Someone other than the transplant patient

should perform the cleaning. If you cannot

avoid exposure, please call the transplant office

to determine if you need other preventative

treatment. If you have had past water damage,

live in a flood zone or have known mildew/mold

in your home, please let the transplant team

know prior to transplant so that we can

consider preventive medications.

DO NOT:

 Drink water from lakes or rivers because of the risk of bacteria

 Swim in water that is not chlorinated; do not swallow water during swimming

 Use hot tubs at any time

 Use public pools/waterparks for 2 weeks if you have had diarrhea

Animal Contact and Pet Safety

Many of our patients have pets. You can stay healthy and

safe by following the following guidelines:

 Keep pets healthy by feeding them food that is

not contaminated or spoiled, and seeking

veterinary help at the first signs of illness. DO

NOT give your pet a raw food diet.

 Wait for 1 year after transplant to get a new pet.

 Wash hands carefully after handling pets.

 Kennel cough is a live vaccine, placed in the nose

of the dog – avoid contact with your dog during

this vaccination.

 Avoid:

o Cleaning litter boxes, and handling animal

feces. Wear gloves to clean aquariums or

have someone else in household do the

cleaning.

o Animals that have diarrhea

o Stray animals

o Animal bites and scratches

o Indoor birds, chicks and ducklings due to risk of bird feather related lung disease

o Reptiles (snakes, iguanas, lizards and turtles); they have a high risk of Salmonella

TRAVEL SAFETY

Many of our patients enjoy traveling. We recommend that you wait 6 months to 1 year (for

international trips) before flying. Travel plans should be discussed with the transplant team at least 2

months before the trip, so we can personalize recommendations for your health. All items discussed

above apply for safe living during travel.

Before travel, we advise you to develop a health care plan in the case of a medical emergency. This

includes:

 Knowing the closest transplant hospital

 Traveling with your current medication list

 Extra supply of medications

 Contacting your transplant team with any concerns

For international travel:

 Please see a travel clinic for any necessary vaccines or preventative medications 2 months

before your trip.

 Review any travel advisories on the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention website, www.cdc.gov.

 When traveling to countries with poor sanitation, DO NOT

drink tap water, ice cubes, or from soda fountains.

 On cruises, try to eat food that is made fresh-to-order.

Avoid buffets and any food that has been sitting out.

Hopkins Travel Health Program

Telephone: 410-955-8931

Fax: 410-614-2301

Email: travel[email protected]

CALL THE TRANSPLANT OFFICE if:

 If you get ANY animal

bites, scratches

 You have a dog that

gets kennel cough

 You think you may have

an illness from an

animal exposure

 Questions related to

any animals not

mentioned above

Sports and Recreation

As your breathing improves, you may find that you are physically able to do things that were previously

limited by your breathing. Take things gradually in the first 3 months, and remember not to

push/pull/lift more than 10 pounds in the first 12 weeks. Eventually, many patients get back to all their

favorite sports and strenuous activities.

 Discuss with your transplant team before:

 Hunting

 Fishing

 Scuba diving

 Camping

 Spelunking

 NEVER clean any wildlife caught while hunting/fishing.

Precautions to Prevent West Nile Virus, ZIKA and Other Mosquito-borne Infections

Transplant recipients should avoid going out at dawn or dusk during peak mosquito season and should

use effective insect repellents that contain DEET. Sources of standing water should be removed from

yards and property belonging to transplant recipients.

SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND FAMILY PLANNING

 Sexual intercourse can be resumed when your incision is fully healed and you feel up to it,

approximately 12 weeks after surgery.

 You may need to use positions that decrease the strain or pressure on your incision. Pain is the

best indicator that there is too much weight on your incision.

 Immunosuppressant medications may increase your risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

and other infections. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, use of a latex condom is

recommended to reduce your risk of getting an infection during intercourse.

 Pregnancy is not recommended because the medication regimen can be harmful to the

developing baby, and the stress of pregnancy can be harmful to your health after transplant.

Female patients should discuss birth control methods with their women’s health provider.

 Male patients may have difficulty with erections post-transplant due to medications. In most

cases this can be treated, and can be discussed with your primary care provider.

 If you desire to have children after transplant, there are other options such as adoption or

surrogacy, which can be explored. Harvesting of embryos is permitted post-transplant.

Safe Sexual Practices:

 Always use latex condoms outside of monogamous relationships

 Avoid exposure to feces during sexual activity

 Oral sex is okay in a monogamous relationship

 Please use some form of birth control if you are sexually active

Call the transplant team if you have:

 Signs of infection in the genital area, such as rash, itching, unusual discharge, or sores

 A positive pregnancy test or if you suspect you are pregnant