**Disclaimer: The information in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health care provider regarding your medical decisions and treatment. Any listed resources are not intended to be endorsements.**

In the podcast, Peggy welcomes Sue Hill, a registered dietitian at Henry Ford Health Cancer in Detroit, to discuss food safety and nutrition for post-transplant patients. Sue emphasizes the importance of following guidelines by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to prevent foodborne illnesses, as transplant patients have suppressed immune systems. She provides detailed advice on safe food handling, stressing the need to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, and the importance of storing foods at correct temperatures to prevent bacterial growth.

Sue advises on meat handling, recommending thawing meat in the refrigerator and cooking it thoroughly, especially for transplant patients. She underscores the necessity of properly handling and cooking eggs, as well as ensuring fresh fruits and vegetables are cleaned correctly. A specific tip is to use a vinegar-water solution for cleaning produce. For post-transplant patients, Sue suggests avoiding pre-cut fruits and vegetables from stores and opting for whole, washable, and peelable items instead.

The conversation also covers the handling of cooked meals by friends or family, where Sue recommends preparing food in the patient’s kitchen when possible to ensure safe food practices. She also discusses the importance of maintaining proper food temperatures during transportation and reheating.

Regarding vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, Sue advises consulting with healthcare teams before adding supplements, as they monitor patients for specific needs. She highlights the value of natural food sources like Greek yogurt for probiotics.

Sue also touches on hydration, suggesting safe water sources and recommending products like Pedialyte for electrolytes. For sugar intake, she clarifies misconceptions, advocating for healthier carbohydrate choices and warning against simple sugars. Additionally, Sue advises against alcohol consumption post-transplant due to its impact on the liver, which is already burdened by medications and chemotherapy.

Lastly, Sue offers tips for managing low appetite and fatigue days, suggesting simple, familiar foods and staying hydrated. She encourages patients to inform their healthcare team if sluggishness persists. Sue concludes with a positive note on the progress in post-transplant patient care and outcomes.

FDA Safe Food Handling Guidelines: https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/safe-food-handling

Bananatrol Plus Prebiotic:https://www.trybanatrol.com/

Other Resources:

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.

nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/

nbmtLINK Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINK

nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.

Thank you to our sponsors. This season is supported by a healthcare contribution from Sanofi https://www.sanofi.com/