Diets for Heart Transplants

While medical science has brought us to the point where an entire human heart can be successfully replaced, the doctors and attending surgeons can do little more to help once the operation is complete. After you have been granted a new lease on life through heart transplant surgery, adhering to a heart-healthy diet can help avoid problems which may have contributed to the need for a heart replacement in the first place.

Heart Transplant Diet

Follow a heart-healthy diet to make the best use of your "borrowed" property. According to the Children's Hospital of Boston, a heart-healthy diet consists of a diet that is low in saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, and empty calories like sugars and sweets. Stick to plant-based foods such as grains, fruits, and vegetables while following this approach, Supplement this with lean protein (chicken, seafood, or turkey) and healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
Avoid red meats and other foods that contain high amounts of cholesterol such as egg yolks, along with reducing or eliminating your consumption of unhealthy items like sugar, alcohol, and refined flour.
Limit your overall intake of sodium by eliminating your use of table salt, and always choose fresh foods whenever possible, as sodium is often used as a preservative in frozen or otherwise stored goods. Meals that comply with this approach include grilled chicken diced in whole grain pasta, served with a side of broccoli drizzled in olive oil and a garden salad with balsamic dressing; or an egg-white omelet with turkey bacon, whole wheat toast, and a fruit salad.

Considerations

Supplement your diet with 1 to 3 grams of fish oil per day to further benefit your heart. According to the American Heart Association, consumption of omega-3 fats (like those found in fish oil) can further increase heart health by lowering cholesterol and slightly thinning the blood, preventing blockages from forming. Omega-3 fats are also present in all types of wild seafood, so make it a point to also include these items in your diet whenever possible for further heart-protecting benefits.