Always follow the advice of your care team.
Nutrition Guidelines
A dietitian will explain our program’s nutritional guidelines, how to prepare food at home, and guidelines for when you may eat at restaurants. This section provides information about foods that are allowed and foods to avoid, as well as guidelines for proper food handling. Talk with your care team if you have any questions about food safety.
Why Food Safety Is Important
Certain foods or methods of preparation may pose a risk of infection. It is important to continue following a low bacteria diet until your immune function returns to normal. Your dietitian will review the “Eating Safely at Home After Transplant” booklet with you. This booklet provides guidelines on what you may and may not eat/drink and how to avoid infection through proper purchasing, handling, and preparation of food. Your care team will give you instructions and timelines based on your specific situation. The timing varies for each patient, and some foods can be added back into your diet sooner than others.
Nutrition Resources:
Ask your care team if you have any questions about nutritional guidelines.
Food and Drug Interactions
Certain foods can interact with medications, causing possible problems (e.g., grapefruit and others). Your diet can interact with medicines in two ways:
Your age, weight, and gender can also affect how medications are absorbed by your body. Therefore, it is critical to follow the dietary and nutrition guidelines outlined by your physician and care team. You should discuss the use of any dietary supplements (e.g., high-potency juices, herbs, etc.), so that your physician can alert you to potential interactions or issues.
Fluid Intake
It is very important to stay hydrated to maintain the health of your kidneys. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day, with a goal of 2-3 liters per day. Aim for non-caffeinated beverages.
General Nutrition Guidelines
Refer to the “Eating Safely at Home After Stem Cell Transplant” booklet for specific information on what foods or drinks are allowed and restricted, and food preparation and storage tips. Below is a general timeframe for restrictions.
Other Nutritional Considerations
It is very important to maintain your weight after your transplant. If you have a scale, weigh yourself weekly. If you notice a weight loss or gain of five pounds or more, call your care team. If you lose more than 5 pounds, tell your care team.
Drinking liquids while you eat may make food easier to swallow. Your sense of taste and saliva production will gradually return over the next few months. Try not to be discouraged when faced with a meal. Instead, experiment with food combinations and flavors.
You can maximize the calorie value of the foods you eat by:
For dietary questions after your initial in-person consultation, call:
Inpatient Dietitian: 617-732-5577 | Outpatient Dietitian: 617-632-3006
Please refer to the comprehensive guide - Stem Cell Transplantation: An Information Guide for Patients and Caregivers - for more information.
Why Food Safety Is Important
Certain foods or methods of preparation may pose a risk of infection. It is important to continue following a low bacteria diet until your immune function returns to normal. Your dietitian will review the “Eating Safely at Home After Transplant” booklet with you. This booklet provides guidelines on what you may and may not eat/drink and how to avoid infection through proper purchasing, handling, and preparation of food. Your care team will give you instructions and timelines based on your specific situation. The timing varies for each patient, and some foods can be added back into your diet sooner than others.
Nutrition Resources:
- How to Eat Safely After Transplant (video)
- Foods/Drinks That Are Safe (PDF)
- Food Preparation and Storage Safety Guidelines (PDF)
- Food Safety in Special Situations (PDF)
- Nutrition Options During a Hotel Stay (PDF)
Ask your care team if you have any questions about nutritional guidelines.
Food and Drug Interactions
Certain foods can interact with medications, causing possible problems (e.g., grapefruit and others). Your diet can interact with medicines in two ways:
- Some foods block your ability to absorb medications, which can reduce the effect of the medication.
- Other foods can enhance the absorption of drugs, leading to possible overdose.
Your age, weight, and gender can also affect how medications are absorbed by your body. Therefore, it is critical to follow the dietary and nutrition guidelines outlined by your physician and care team. You should discuss the use of any dietary supplements (e.g., high-potency juices, herbs, etc.), so that your physician can alert you to potential interactions or issues.
Fluid Intake
It is very important to stay hydrated to maintain the health of your kidneys. Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day, with a goal of 2-3 liters per day. Aim for non-caffeinated beverages.
General Nutrition Guidelines
Refer to the “Eating Safely at Home After Stem Cell Transplant” booklet for specific information on what foods or drinks are allowed and restricted, and food preparation and storage tips. Below is a general timeframe for restrictions.
- Takeout Food: After Day +30
- Restaurants: After Day +100
- Soft Serve Ice Cream: After Day +30
- Cold Cuts: After Day +30
- Sushi/Raw Meat: After 1 year
- Salad Bars/Buffets: After 1 year
- Raw Honey: After 1 year
- Unpasteurized Cheeses: After 1 year
- Alcohol: Until MD approval
- Popcorn: Until you can floss
Other Nutritional Considerations
It is very important to maintain your weight after your transplant. If you have a scale, weigh yourself weekly. If you notice a weight loss or gain of five pounds or more, call your care team. If you lose more than 5 pounds, tell your care team.
Drinking liquids while you eat may make food easier to swallow. Your sense of taste and saliva production will gradually return over the next few months. Try not to be discouraged when faced with a meal. Instead, experiment with food combinations and flavors.
You can maximize the calorie value of the foods you eat by:
- Eating small, frequent meals or snacks throughout the day.
- Adding butter, oil, gravy, cheese, and non-fat milk powder to appropriate items.
- Consuming nutritional supplements, such as ice cream frappes made with enriched milk (mix 1 quart of milk with 1 cup of dry milk powder), Carnation Instant Breakfast, Ensure, Boost, or other commercially prepared supplements.
- Watch for symptoms of bloating, gas, cramps, or diarrhea after consuming milk or milk products. Some people have trouble digesting milk products after their stem cell transplant. You may want to switch to Lactaid milk, or chew Lactaid tablets when eating dairy products.
- Adding a flavorless protein powder (such as Beneprotein) to liquids. This may help maintain protein intake since some patients have difficulty eating enough meats and other protein sources after a transplant. For example, protein powder could be added to juices, soups, frappes, etc. without changing the flavor or texture.
For dietary questions after your initial in-person consultation, call:
Inpatient Dietitian: 617-732-5577 | Outpatient Dietitian: 617-632-3006
Please refer to the comprehensive guide - Stem Cell Transplantation: An Information Guide for Patients and Caregivers - for more information.