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Draft: not yet reviewed by a clinician

Use this page to prepare questions for your care team. It does not replace their advice. Your own targets and doses come from your nephrologist, diabetes team and renal dietitian.

7-day sample menu: after a kidney transplant

Starting points, not your prescription

These numbers are typical starting points from guidelines. Your nephrologist, diabetes team and renal dietitian set your own numbers from your blood tests, urine output and medicines, and change them as your labs change. If your lab report or your team says something different, they win.

With a working transplant, most people no longer need the strict kidney diet. KDIGO asks transplant recipients to follow a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet, and your transplant team sets your own numbers. This week uses the app's stage 1–2 starting points: 56–70 g of protein for a 70 kg adult and sodium under 2,000 mg. Three things are different after a transplant. Food safety: anti-rejection medicines weaken the immune system, so every meat, fish and egg is cooked through and there is no deli meat or smoked fish. No grapefruit or its relatives, which change the blood level of some anti-rejection medicines. Glucose: steroids and tacrolimus can raise it, so carbohydrate stays at about 55 g a meal and your team adjusts insulin. Potassium is shown because tacrolimus can raise it; follow your blood tests.

The numbers this menu is built to

Built for a reference adult: 70 kg, 170 cm, type 1 diabetes, using the app's starting targets for after a transplant (the stage 1–2 starting points) (see Eating well). Every day below was checked against these numbers by scripts/build_handbook.py.

Per day Built to
Protein 56–70 g (0.8–1.0 g/kg)
Sodium at most 2,000 mg
Potassium no limit (shown for information)
Phosphorus no limit (shown for information)
Energy from food 1,750–2,450 kcal
Carbohydrate about 55 g at each main meal (every meal 50–60 g); snacks 10–30 g

Also: no foods with phosphate additives; no grapefruit, pomelo or Seville orange (they change the blood levels of some transplant medicines); no foods that need extra care with a weakened immune system (smoked fish, deli meats, hot dogs, raw shellfish); everything is cooked through.

Week at a glance

Day Energy kcal Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL Fiber g
Day 1 1,783 206 69.0 2,379 1,125 1,005 285 30.9
Day 2 1,802 211 68.7 2,654 1,182 749 345 29.4
Day 3 1,782 212 68.6 2,678 1,132 1,404 158 29.5
Day 4 1,853 209 68.8 2,495 1,174 758 454 32.5
Day 5 1,824 207 68.1 2,251 994 1,316 285 22.4
Day 6 1,807 208 63.6 1,962 1,030 1,147 236 29.3
Day 7 1,812 205 66.1 2,494 1,190 304 394 26.2

Amounts are what goes on the plate; meat and fish are cooked weights. Values are USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) figures from the app's food list, so every food can be found in the app by name and logged as shown. Brands vary: when a food has a label, the label wins.

Day 1

Food safety first: eggs are cooked until the yolk and white are firm, and the turkey is roasted at home, not sliced deli meat.

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Egg, scrambled (cooked until firm) 1 large (61 g) 1 6.1 81 101 88 –
Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Orange, raw 1 fruit (131 g) 15 1.2 237 18 0 –
Strawberries, raw 1 cup, halves (152 g) 12 1.0 232 36 2 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 55 16.7 831 301 389 236
Lunch Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Turkey breast, roasted (home-roasted to 165 °F, not deli) 1½ oz (43 g) 0 12.8 106 98 42 –
Mayonnaise 2 tbsp (28 g) 0 0.2 6 6 176 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Tomato, raw ½ medium (62 g) 2 0.6 146 15 3 –
Apple, raw, with skin 1 medium (182 g) 25 0.5 195 20 2 –
Lunch total 57 22.7 731 289 519 –
Afternoon snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted ½ tbsp (7 g) 0 0.1 2 2 1 –
Afternoon snack total 19 3.2 81 88 3 –
Dinner Salmon, Atlantic, farmed, cooked (cooked to 145 °F) 3 oz (85 g) 0 18.8 326 214 52 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) 0.8 cup (162 g) 41 4.4 139 166 6 –
Green beans, boiled 1 cup (126 g) 10 2.4 184 36 2 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Dinner total 52 25.7 665 417 60 –
Evening snack Sherbet, orange ½ cup (74 g) 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Evening snack total 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Day 1,783 kcal 206 69.0 2,379 1,125 1,005 285

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 2

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Oatmeal, cooked (regular or quick oats) (cooked without salt) 1 cup (234 g) 28 5.9 164 180 9 –
Milk, 2% reduced fat ½ cup (122 g) 6 4.1 171 112 58 109
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Walnuts ½ oz (14 g) 2 2.2 62 49 1 –
Sugar, brown 2 tsp, packed (9 g) 9 0.0 12 0 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 56 13.0 585 360 77 345
Lunch Pita bread, white 1 large, 6-1/2 in (60 g) 33 5.5 72 58 322 –
Chicken breast, roasted, skinless (cooked to 165 °F) 1½ oz (43 g) 0 13.4 110 98 32 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Tomato, raw ½ medium (62 g) 2 0.6 146 15 3 –
Hummus 2 tbsp (30 g) 5 2.3 94 54 128 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Grapes, red or green, raw ½ cup, about 15 (76 g) 14 0.5 144 15 2 –
Lunch total 57 23.1 758 266 492 –
Afternoon snack Pear, raw 1 small (148 g) 23 0.5 172 18 1 –
Cheese, cheddar ½ oz (14 g) 0 3.2 11 64 92 –
Afternoon snack total 23 3.7 183 82 93 –
Dinner Pork tenderloin, roasted (cooked to 145 °F, rested 3 minutes) 2½ oz (71 g) 0 18.5 298 189 40 –
Sweet potato, baked ½ cup (100 g) 21 2.0 475 54 36 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ½ cup (101 g) 26 2.8 87 104 4 –
Green beans, boiled 1 cup (126 g) 10 2.4 184 36 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Dinner total 57 25.7 1,047 386 84 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,802 kcal 211 68.7 2,654 1,182 749 345

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 3

Canned light tuna is fine after a transplant. Smoked fish from the fridge case (lox) is not, unless it is cooked in a dish.

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast English muffin, plain 1 muffin (57 g) 26 4.4 75 76 264 –
Peanut butter 1 tbsp (16 g) 4 3.6 90 54 68 –
Banana, raw ¾ medium (89 g) 20 1.0 317 20 1 –
Milk, 2% reduced fat ½ cup (122 g) 6 4.1 171 112 58 109
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Breakfast total 56 13.1 655 264 392 109
Lunch Tuna, light, canned in water, drained 2 oz (57 g) 0 11.0 101 79 140 –
Mayonnaise 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 88 –
Celery, raw ½ stalk, medium (20 g) 1 0.2 52 5 16 –
Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Apple, raw, with skin 1 medium (182 g) 25 0.5 195 20 2 –
Lunch total 55 20.4 629 257 542 –
Afternoon snack Carrot, raw 1 medium (61 g) 6 0.6 195 21 42 –
Hummus 2 tbsp (30 g) 5 2.3 94 54 128 –
Crackers, whole-wheat 4 crackers (19 g) 13 2.0 65 62 149 –
Afternoon snack total 23 4.9 354 137 319 –
Dinner Beef, top sirloin steak, broiled (cooked to 145 °F, rested 3 minutes) 2½ oz (71 g) 0 20.9 262 163 43 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ¾ cup (152 g) 39 4.1 131 156 6 –
Broccoli, boiled 1 cup, chopped (156 g) 11 3.8 458 104 64 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Dinner total 56 29.4 969 444 116 –
Evening snack Sherbet, orange ½ cup (74 g) 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Evening snack total 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Day 1,782 kcal 212 68.6 2,678 1,132 1,404 158

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 4

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Shredded wheat cereal 1 cup (49 g) 40 5.8 190 188 1 –
Milk, 2% reduced fat 1 cup (244 g) 12 8.1 342 224 115 218
Raspberries, raw ½ cup (62 g) 7 0.7 93 18 1 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 59 14.9 741 437 122 454
Lunch Egg, hard-boiled 2 large (100 g) 1 12.6 126 172 124 –
Mayonnaise 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 88 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Grapes, red or green, raw ½ cup, about 15 (76 g) 14 0.5 144 15 2 –
Carrot, raw 1 medium (61 g) 6 0.6 195 21 42 –
Lunch total 52 22.8 825 376 555 –
Afternoon snack Pear, raw 1 small (148 g) 23 0.5 172 18 1 –
Almonds ½ oz (14 g) 3 3.0 103 68 0 –
Afternoon snack total 26 3.5 275 86 1 –
Dinner Cod, Atlantic, cooked (cooked to 145 °F) 2½ oz (71 g) 0 16.2 172 97 55 –
Couscous, cooked (cooked without salt) 1 cup (157 g) 37 6.0 91 35 8 –
Asparagus, boiled 4 spears (60 g) 3 1.4 134 32 8 –
Olive oil 2 tbsp (27 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Peaches, canned in juice ½ cup (124 g) 14 0.8 159 21 5 –
Dinner total 54 24.5 572 186 76 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,853 kcal 209 68.8 2,495 1,174 758 454

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 5

Burger night: ground poultry is cooked to 165 °F (74 °C); check with a food thermometer, not by color.

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Pancakes, from recipe 2 pancakes, 4 in (76 g) 22 4.9 100 121 334 –
Maple syrup 1 tbsp (20 g) 13 0.0 42 0 2 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Blueberries, raw ½ cup (74 g) 11 0.5 57 9 1 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Egg, scrambled (cooked until firm) 1 large (61 g) 1 6.1 81 101 88 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 52 12.4 515 259 433 236
Lunch Chicken breast, roasted, skinless (cooked to 165 °F) 1½ oz (43 g) 0 13.4 110 98 32 –
Rice, brown, cooked (cooked without salt) ½ cup (101 g) 26 2.8 87 104 4 –
Black beans, cooked ¼ cup (43 g) 10 3.8 153 60 1 –
Salsa 2 tbsp (36 g) 2 0.5 99 12 256 –
Lettuce, romaine 1 cup, shredded (47 g) 2 0.6 116 14 4 –
Cheese, cheddar ½ oz (14 g) 0 3.2 11 64 92 –
Corn, sweet, boiled ½ ear, medium (52 g) 11 1.8 113 40 1 –
Olive oil 1½ tbsp (20 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Lunch total 51 26.0 688 391 389 –
Afternoon snack Apple, raw, with skin 1 medium (182 g) 25 0.5 195 20 2 –
Peanut butter 1 tbsp (16 g) 4 3.6 90 54 68 –
Afternoon snack total 29 4.1 285 74 70 –
Dinner Ground turkey, 93% lean, patty (cooked to 165 °F) 2½ oz (71 g) 0 18.3 175 148 64 –
Hamburger or hot dog bun 1 roll (44 g) 22 4.3 54 44 217 –
Lettuce, romaine ½ cup, shredded (24 g) 1 0.3 58 7 2 –
Tomato, raw ¼ medium (31 g) 1 0.3 73 8 2 –
Ketchup, low sodium 1 tbsp (17 g) 5 0.2 48 4 3 –
Cabbage, raw 1 cup, shredded (70 g) 4 0.9 119 18 13 –
Mayonnaise 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 88 –
Vinegar, cider 1 tbsp (15 g) 0 0.0 11 1 1 –
Pineapple, canned in juice ½ cup (125 g) 20 0.5 152 8 1 –
Dinner total 53 24.9 693 241 391 –
Evening snack Sherbet, orange ½ cup (74 g) 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Evening snack total 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Day 1,824 kcal 207 68.1 2,251 994 1,316 285

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 6

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Cream of wheat, cooked (cooked without salt) 1 cup (251 g) 26 3.6 40 38 15 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Sugar, brown 2 tsp, packed (9 g) 9 0.0 12 0 2 –
Egg, hard-boiled 1 large (50 g) 1 6.3 63 86 62 –
Clementine, raw 1 fruit (74 g) 9 0.6 131 16 1 –
Bread, whole-wheat 1 slice (32 g) 14 4.0 81 68 146 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 59 14.9 446 218 233 236
Lunch Cheese, cheddar 1 oz (28 g) 1 6.4 21 127 183 –
Bread, whole-wheat 2 slices (64 g) 27 8.0 162 136 292 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Carrot, raw 1 medium (61 g) 6 0.6 195 21 42 –
Apple, raw, with skin ½ medium (91 g) 13 0.3 98 10 1 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Lunch total 54 16.2 671 327 522 –
Afternoon snack Pear, raw 1 small (148 g) 23 0.5 172 18 1 –
Walnuts ½ oz (14 g) 2 2.2 62 49 1 –
Afternoon snack total 24 2.7 234 67 2 –
Dinner Chicken thigh, roasted, skinless (cooked to 165 °F) 2½ oz (71 g) 0 17.5 191 163 75 –
Egg noodles, cooked (cooked without salt) 1 cup (160 g) 40 7.3 61 122 264 –
Carrots, boiled ½ cup, slices (78 g) 6 0.6 183 23 45 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Green beans, boiled ½ cup (63 g) 5 1.2 92 18 1 –
Dinner total 52 26.7 530 329 387 –
Evening snack Popcorn, air-popped, unsalted 3 cups (24 g) 19 3.1 79 86 2 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Evening snack total 19 3.2 82 89 4 –
Day 1,807 kcal 208 63.6 1,962 1,030 1,147 236

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Day 7

Leftovers from the week? Reheat them until steaming hot, 165 °F (74 °C).

Meal Food Amount Carb g Protein g Potassium mg Phosphorus mg Sodium mg Fluid mL
Breakfast Oatmeal, cooked (regular or quick oats) (cooked without salt) 1 cup (234 g) 28 5.9 164 180 9 –
Milk, 2% reduced fat ½ cup (122 g) 6 4.1 171 112 58 109
Apple, raw, with skin ½ medium (91 g) 13 0.3 98 10 1 –
Walnuts ½ oz (14 g) 2 2.2 62 49 1 –
Sugar, brown 1 tsp, packed (5 g) 5 0.0 6 0 1 –
Butter, unsalted 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.1 3 3 2 –
Coffee, brewed 1 cup, 8 fl oz (237 g) 0 0.3 116 7 5 236
Breakfast total 53 12.8 619 361 76 345
Lunch Pasta, cooked (cooked without salt) 1 cup (124 g) 38 7.2 55 72 1 –
Chicken breast, roasted, skinless (cooked to 165 °F) 1½ oz (43 g) 0 13.4 110 98 32 –
Bell pepper, red, raw ½ cup, chopped (75 g) 5 0.7 158 20 3 –
Cucumber, with peel, raw ½ cup, slices (52 g) 2 0.3 76 12 1 –
Olive oil 1½ tbsp (20 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Vinegar, cider 1 tbsp (15 g) 0 0.0 11 1 1 –
Parmesan cheese, grated 1 tbsp (5 g) 1 1.4 9 31 90 –
Strawberries, raw ½ cup, halves (76 g) 6 0.5 116 18 1 –
Lunch total 51 23.5 535 252 129 –
Afternoon snack Clementine, raw 2 fruits (148 g) 18 1.2 262 32 2 –
Almonds ½ oz (14 g) 3 3.0 103 68 0 –
Afternoon snack total 21 4.2 365 100 2 –
Dinner Salmon, Atlantic, farmed, cooked (cooked to 145 °F) 2½ oz (71 g) 0 15.7 272 178 43 –
Quinoa, cooked (cooked without salt) ¾ cup (139 g) 30 6.1 239 211 10 –
Asparagus, boiled 4 spears (60 g) 3 1.4 134 32 8 –
Green beans, boiled ½ cup (63 g) 5 1.2 92 18 1 –
Lemon juice, fresh 1 tbsp (15 g) 1 0.1 16 1 0 –
Olive oil 1 tbsp (14 g) 0 0.0 0 0 0 –
Pineapple, canned in juice ½ cup (125 g) 20 0.5 152 8 1 –
Dinner total 58 24.9 904 448 63 –
Evening snack Sherbet, orange ½ cup (74 g) 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Evening snack total 23 0.8 71 30 34 49
Day 1,812 kcal 205 66.1 2,494 1,190 304 394

Try this day in the app’s demo Opens the app and shows this day for you to check. Nothing is saved until you confirm.

Swaps that keep the numbers

  • Fruit: any fruit except grapefruit, pomelo, Seville orange and tangelo. Oranges, clementines, berries, apples, pears and canned fruit in juice are all fine.
  • Protein foods: chicken, turkey, pork, beef, fish and eggs swap ounce for ounce, always cooked to a safe temperature (poultry 165 °F, fish and whole cuts 145 °F).
  • Cheese: hard cheese such as cheddar is fine. Soft cheeses are safe only if the label says they are made from pasteurized milk.
  • Grains: whole-wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal swap with their white versions at the same carbohydrate.

Make it yours

  • Scale for your weight. Protein here is 0.8–1.0 g per kg for 70 kg: 48–60 g a day at 60 kg and 64–80 g at 80 kg. Ask your transplant dietitian which weight and range to use.
  • If your potassium runs high, your team may ask you to limit it; the stage 3 menu shows lower-potassium days.
  • Glucose changes after a transplant. Steroids and tacrolimus can raise glucose. Check as your team asks and report highs and lows; never change insulin on your own.
  • Carbohydrate stays steady: about the same amount at each main meal every day, so a fixed insulin plan or a carbohydrate ratio works the same way from day to day. Your own amount per meal comes from your diabetes team; keep it consistent and count what you actually eat (Carb counting).
  • Lows come first. Treat a low straight away with glucose tablets or another fast 15 g (Treating a low), even if it adds potassium or fluid. Rescue foods are on top of these menus and are never "against the rules".
  • Hungry, or losing weight without trying? Add calories with olive oil, unsalted butter or more measured starch covered by your usual insulin plan, not with more meat, and tell your dietitian (Eating enough).
  • Season without salt: herbs, spices, garlic and onion powder, lemon and vinegar. Do not use salt substitutes: they contain potassium chloride (Sodium).
  • Log it in the app: every food here is in the app's food list under the same name. Saved meals and "copy day" let you reuse a menu day (Planning and menus).

Sources

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. Facts and sources last checked 2026-10-05.