Discussion with a Dietitian: How to Care for your Body Pre-and Post Transplant

At COTS, we know first-hand how important diet is for pre-and post-transplant health and well-being. That is why we interviewed dietitian Natalie Sousa! Natalie graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science with Honors and a Major in Dietetics and has since obtained further training as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC). She currently works with BC Children’s Hospital supporting the health of families and children; in particular, we wanted to talk to her about her work with youth and families pre-and post-transplant. Natalie had plenty to teach us!  

Working with an age range of 5-21 years old, Natalie shows a great deal of versatility in what and how she teaches nutrition to children and families. She has lots to keep in mind in her work: from the biological (like how to maintain healthy growth, height, and weight), whether people can physically eat or if they’re tube feeding, to social and economic considerations (like body image and relationships to food, as well as food accessibility and affordability). Different children have different needs based on what illnesses they experience, and which organs it impacts.  

Natalie had tons of advice for families. Especially now, we know that grocery bills are exceptionally high.  

She made the very apt point that from a nutritional perspective, frozen produce is just as good as fresh, and it is cheaper!  Especially in bulk.

As well, she told us that there are grocery stores that sell discounted produce, especially ‘ugly’ produce that doesn’t look like your model vegetable. They may be stranger shapes, but they are just as good to eat! She also told us about how much food waste occurs in the home. Families can save money by meal planning and portioning out food to reduce that waste, as well as by buying in-season produce.  

From a behavioural perspective, Natalie recommends being creative in finding ways to drink enough water and eat fruits and vegetables.  

Whenever we asked different questions about nutrition, it came back to the same principle; keep it simple and have realistic expectations.  

She indicated that most transplants she works with are kidneys, and fluid intake is very important. She recommends flavouring water with flavour drops as well as eating soups and smoothies to get one’s fluid intake through food and water. A vital consideration for liver transplants is that because the gall bladder is often removed, we must avoid fatty and fried foods because it is harder to break down. Regardless of the organ, she warns all transplant youth to avoid grapefruit because of how it interacts with medication, and any raw fish or deli meats because of their ability to host bacteria.  

Time and again, Natalie answered questions about diet with the mantra: “balance, balance, balance.” The Canada Food Guide has been one of her primary resources when it comes to how she informs families about what and how to eat. The guide has become simpler over time and focuses more on lifestyle and – you can probably guess – balance. A holistic approach is the key to meeting that balance. 

Natalie left us with one final thought: “Nutrition is the environment you are eating in and who you eat with. Try not to be stressed that your diet needs to be perfect.”