Overview
Dietary advice after your kidney transplant
Important
This information is produced for adults under the care of Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals. We usually give you the information after an assessment or appointment. Your kidney (renal) dietitian or other health professional may give you different guidance, depending on your specific medical needs.
It is important to check with a health professional before making any changes to your diet. Please contact your renal dietitian if you have any questions or concerns.
If you are not a patient at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals, please contact a GP or specialist health professional.
This information answers questions about your diet after having a kidney transplant.
One of the benefits of a successful kidney transplant is that you can eat a more varied diet. Many of the restrictions that you had to make to your diet before the transplant may no longer be needed.
Immediately after your operation, it is important to have enough nutrients in your diet. This will:
- help your recovery
- prevent infections
- make wounds heal faster
You need to make sure that you get enough protein from foods such as meat, eggs, beans and pulses, and dairy products.
If your appetite is poor after your operation and you cannot eat enough, please speak to your dietitian.
This information covers:
- how kidney transplant medicines affect your diet
- food safety and hygiene precautions
- how to manage the long-term side effects of a kidney transplant
- where you can find useful information
If you have any questions that are not covered in this information, please ask your kidney (renal) dietitian.
How kidney transplant medicines affect your diet
After having a kidney transplant, you need to avoid eating grapefruit and pomegranates. They can interfere with your immunosuppressive medicine (medicine to reduce the risk of kidney transplant rejection).
It is best not to have large amounts of these foods and drinks because they might affect how your medicine works:
- Chamomile tea
- Earl grey tea
- Pomelo or shaddock (a large citrus fruit with thick yellow skin)
- Seville bitter orange
- Star fruit (a green or yellow tropical fruit with a shape like a star when it is sliced)
Important safety reminder
Do not use herbal products or vitamins without talking to your healthcare team. They might affect how your immunosuppressive medicine works or cause your body to reject the kidney transplant. Examples of these products include St John's wort and high-dose vitamin C.
Early side effects of a kidney transplant
This section lists early possible side effects of a kidney transplant.
High potassium levels
High potassium levels can be a problem for a short period after a kidney transplant. If necessary, your dietitian will advise you to eat fewer foods that are high in potassium.
Low phosphate levels
Low phosphate levels can be a problem for a short period after a kidney transplant. If necessary, your dietitian will advise you to increase the phosphate in your diet.
Unstable blood sugar levels
If necessary, you will be given advice to help control your blood sugar levels.
Resource number: 2234/VER7
Last reviewed: November 2024
Next review due: November 2027
A list of sources is available on request.
