Tacrolimis and Minute Maid Lemonade

@ajdo129 and @valbob 🥰

@ajdo129 Thank you so much for the very detailed cooking instructions for your skinless boneless chicken recipe!! Sounds delicious! I actually think I may be able to do it so I am very appreciative. I am very happy I asked for your recipe.... I am going to give it a try!

@valbob Thank you for the detailed purchasing information regarding the seasonings, chocolate bar, etc.
It's so nice to know we are all together trying to figure out our new diets, the foods to eat and not to eat, etc. I am always emotionally comforted when I jump on Mayo Connect for assistance.
I feel so blessed that our Mayo Connect Transplant Support Group is made up of the most loving and supportive people I have met in my life. I love you guys!
Thank you for always being there ready to help no matter the topic or challenge. 🥰

I checked with Smuckers regarding Seville oranges in their marmalade, and they told me that they do not use them in there so that brand should be safe to use.

Wow, @jadahl 😊 I am so impressed with your "get 'er done" attitude!
Calling Smucklers directly was genius.
Thank you so much for your research and letting us all know your findings...
You are terrific!!

Welcome, @jadahl. I agree with @hello1234 that it was a great idea to call the manufacturer directly.

May I ask what type of transplant you or a loved one have/has had? I look forward to learning about your story.

I drink a lot of water. Therefore, I look for ways to flavor it. I have found drops of lemonade, strawberry-watermelon, orange and even sweet tea. However, I tried mixed fruit flavor and later read that it had pomegranate in it. First, it scared the $#%+ out of me and then it got me to researching. I am almost 5 months post LTP and still learning. Should I research all foods and enhancers that I use?
Thanks for the input.

It is helpful to read all ingredients when you buy processed foods. When in doubt either don't buy the food or research it. Seville orange e.g. is also called sour orange or Caribbean orange. I asked Mayo about turmeric, ginger and chamomile because I like Asian foods and Sleepytime tea. Mayo said turmeric and ginger as supplements are a big no-no. But as one of many ingredients in an entree I may have that entree up to 3 times a week. Chamomile tea only 1 a week max.
Hope this helps everyone. ajdo129

Hi @hdillon7 😊
It's so nice to meet you!
I have been trying to pay more attention to what I am eating lately.
I am a three year post kidney transplant.
For the last two years, my Tacrolimis blood level has pretty much stayed in range.
After covid, I ate mostly plain food at home and I think it definitely worked to my benefit.
Lately, I have been trying to socialize more and I have been meeting friends or family at local restaurants on off times before they get busy.
I have really enjoyed the socializing and getting back to normal, but my Tacrolimis blood level is bouncing in and out of range from too low to too high.
I have to wonder if what I am eating or drinking is affecting how my body is absorbing the drug.
One of my favorite places to go is Longhorn. They have a grilled salmon platter with broccoli and a large sweet potato. Maybe the potassium in the sweet potatoe is a problem so I have been eating half.
I also take my Tacrolimis with breakfast so I have been trying to eat the same thing every day for breakfast, but sometimes I change the food or quantity.
I also have gastritis which may affect how TAC is absorbed in the digestive tract.
Have you had any problems maintaining your Tacrolimis blood level and keeping it in range?

Hi @ajdo129 😊
Thanks so much for the heads up about turmeric and ginger! What is in Sleepytime tea that is the problem?

Chamomile. Tea made with it is often used as a sleep aid.

Hi! I share your concern and sentiment. It's still flummoxes me. My liver transplant was 2 years ago this month. It was drilled into me to avoid grapefruit, pomegranates, blood oranges, and mandarins. Not lemons or powered lemonade. I have a glass of crystal light lemonade 2-3 times a week; it's never done a thing bad, just slaked my thirst. BTW, my Tacrolimus trough hovers around 5.5 most of the time. Since there's not a established min/max, this is just where it sets with me personally. Blood lab markers, such as AST and ALT, stay consistently in the low allowed range. IMHO, Tacrolimus has the most squirrliest, longest list of interactions I've ever seen with a drug. I look at the ingredients of everything I buy, and stay away from those things that interfere with my dosage of 1mg morning/1mg evening. One of the great things about Mayo Connect is our ability to share these things with our special community. My transplant was in Oregon and not with with Mayo, and I feel totally welcome here. It's pretty awesome.