What do you order when eating at a restaurant?

Thanks Rosemary! I knew you’d have great info. The Vacation Tips are excellent, especially now that I can think about traveling again!

I am so happy to hear that your Cellcept dosage was reduced for a great reason (liver doing well!!) and not an infection. My CMV is considered resolved so far, thank goodness. I was super worried about having CMV, but the Valcyte treatment did the job. They are continuing to monitor the CMV and keep the Cellcept reduced. My kidney function is stable so far and doing well so I am hopeful that maybe this is my new maintenance dosage!

Oh, Valcyte…I took that along with Bactrim for 3 months post transplant. I’m glad the CMV has gone away. I have an ongoing thing with oral thrush due to Sjogren’s, and probably our meds. Did you have to do Nystatin in the hospital after your transplant? The dreadful “swish and swallow.” That’s to keep oral thrush away. But, not working on me anymore. So, have to get something different.

The link Rosemary shared on Vacation Tips has some good ideas on restaurant eating for transplant people. I also wanted to recommend an air fryer. It’s quick, super easy to clean, and healthy as it limits the amount of oil you need.

Good luck in keeping your kidney functions up and Mycophenolate dosage down!

I took Valcyte for the first six months after transplant because my donor was CMV positive and I was CMV negative. I stopped Valcyte in January and came down with invasive CMV in May. I am so thankful that 900mg bid Valcyte resolved the infection in 6 weeks. Regarding your thrush, maybe your newly reduced Cellcept will help? Are they thinking of giving you oral Diflucan or something else? I really like your suggestion about getting an air fryer! Do you have any favorite things (easy) to make in the air fryer? I am going to go on-line now and buy one!

Thank you so much Rosemary! These detailed reference materials are awesome! I really appreciate these attachments including vacation ideas and tips.

I’m hoping reducing Mycophenolate will help. Certainly can’t hurt!

The air fryer comes with a recipe book. You can do pretty much cook anything in it. You can modify recipes to suit your health needs and taste as well. I’m particularly found of air fried fish, mostly salmon. Also, sweet potato fries…very little oil needed. If you like tofu, it makes great crispy tofu. Here’s a good website to get you started -
https://www.liveeatlearn.com/vegetarian-air-fryer-recipes/

I travel a lot!. When I had my first renal transplant my doc said - if the place looks dicey, eat fried food because the fryer will kill nasty bacteria. In a pinch that’s what I did for years until I developed gluten intolerance. First transplant 1987, second 2000. I eat what I want - I don’t eat anything unless I really want that food - so I’ve stayed slim. I eat ton’s of veggies and fruit, brown rice etc. and mostly organic - especially when I eat chicken etc. Good luck!

@lizzy102, Those dicey restaurants can be found everywhere, local and when traveling. Your doctor presented an unusual piece of advice! I'm glad that worked for you, but after my transplant, I lost any desire for the taste fried food.
I have found that many restaurants, especially independent ones, will prepare foods with special diet in mind. My husband and I go during the uncrowded hours.
When going to an unfamiliar or new restaurant, I check the menu online or at the door before entering. Me and my husband have also walked out of restaurants when we do not think are practicing food safety of cleanliness.

What kinds of veggies and fruits can you get locally? Do you have a special chicken recipe that you would like to share?

I can’t eat things fried in lard or if they’re not drained well - I’ve been known to ask for clean napkins and to wick off oil even from pizza! I take for granted that folks check restaurants ahead, call to let them know one’s needs re: food safety and as I wear a cochlear implant need to sit in a quiet area.
I just put my rub on a chicken I’ll rotisserie on the grill this evening. We’ll have it with Quinoa, kale and a beautiful little Buffalo burrata (tomatoes, buffalo burrata- small balls, with salt, olive oil and a healthy drizzle of a nice thick aged balsamic. I’ll grill some peaches after the chicken comes off.
Try this favorite recipe from Christopher Kimball’s “Cookish” p. 208. Almond, Caper and Herb-Crusted Chicken cutlets. It’s quick:
1/4 c. Sliced almonds
1/2 c. Pinko breadcrumbs (I use GF ones)
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
4 4 oz, chicken cutlets (about 1/4” thick)
1/4 c. Lightly packed fresh tarragon or fresh dill, chopped
6 t. Neutral oil
Lemon wedges or Dijon or sour cream to serve
Combine almonds, panko, 1 t. Salt, 1/2 t. Pepper, Season dry cutlets with sprinkles of salt and pepper, tarragon/dill and capers pressing firmly. Coat both sides of each cutlet with almond mixture, pressing firmly. In a heated 12” skillet with 3 T. Oil until oil shimmers, add 2 cutlets and cook until golden brown, be patient don’t mess flip them for 2.5 min! Transfer to paper towel lined plate (cover with another plate to keep warm). Wipe out skillet add 3 T. Oil, heat to shimmering, add last two cutlets and repeat. Cutlets are finished to tender goodness when an instant read thermometer inserted gently into the center of the meat reads 165*. Serve with lemon wedges or other choice.
I serve this with brown rice and green beans or Swiss chard. You use what you love.

After my husband's liver transplant in 2020, our best friend has become our instant pot. I can cook pork chops, chicken, etc. in the instant pot very quickly upon getting home from work, and when topped with a favorite seasoning (no sodium such as Mrs. Dash or grill mates) it makes a good protein basis to build our meals. Since the initial " I'm feeling better, I'm eating more " gain, we have both lost weight (20lbs). We add a vegetable or salad and usually a small baked potato to round out our meal. I also make homemade Chinese and use reduced-sodium soy sauce and other ingredients. (Pinterest is a great source of inspiration). I have decided not to stress too much about sodium, but to cut it whenever possible. I don't use things like canned/jar spaghetti sauce --I make my own now.
When we go out, he is careful not to order anything that hasn't been thoroughly cooked, so stays with more home-cooked type meals, thin-crust pizza, or asks for no lettuce, etc. on a taco. We rarely eat out. It has lost its appeal.