When people receive a new kidney from a living donor, their bodies change in interesting ways. Researchers studied what happens to patients’ eating habits and exercise routines after transplant surgery. They found that most patients felt hungrier and moved around more, which sounds good. However, they also started eating more unhealthy foods like processed meats, fried foods, and sugary drinks, while eating fewer vegetables and fruits. Women gained more weight than men after the transplant. The good news? A strange condition called pica—where people crave non-food items—almost completely disappeared after surgery, suggesting patients’ bodies were finally getting the nutrients they needed.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How kidney transplant patients’ eating habits, exercise routines, and body weight changed in the six months after receiving a new kidney from a living donor.
  • Who participated: Patients who received their first kidney transplant from a living family member or friend. The exact number of participants wasn’t specified in the abstract.
  • Key finding: After transplant, patients reported eating more and exercising more, but they chose unhealthier foods. Women’s weight increased much more than men’s (24% moved into overweight category versus 7% for men). Interestingly, a condition where people crave non-food items dropped from 33% of patients to just 1%.
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know is getting a kidney transplant, expect to feel hungrier and have more energy for exercise—which is great! However, be extra careful about food choices during this time. Working with a nutritionist to eat healthy while managing increased appetite may help prevent unwanted weight gain. Women may need extra support with this challenge.

The Research Details

This was a cohort study, which means researchers followed a group of kidney transplant patients over time and tracked what changed. Before surgery, researchers measured patients’ body composition, asked detailed questions about what foods they usually ate, and recorded their exercise habits. They also checked for a condition called pica, where people crave things that aren’t food (like ice, dirt, or starch). Six months after transplant surgery, the same patients answered questions again about their eating and exercise habits, reported how hungry they felt, and had their weight measured. The researchers then compared the before-and-after information to see what changed.

Following patients over time helps researchers understand what really happens after transplant surgery, not just what doctors predict will happen. By asking detailed questions about specific foods and habits, researchers could spot patterns—like why patients might gain weight even though they’re exercising more. This type of study is important because it helps doctors and nutritionists prepare patients for these changes and develop better support programs.

This study has some strengths: it tracked real patients through an important life event and collected detailed information about eating habits. However, the abstract doesn’t tell us exactly how many patients were studied, which makes it harder to know how reliable the findings are. The study only followed patients for six months, so we don’t know if these eating habit changes continue longer. The study only included people who received kidneys from living donors, so results might be different for people who receive kidneys from deceased donors.

What the Results Show

After transplant surgery, patients’ bodies changed noticeably. Women were much more likely to gain weight and move into the overweight or obese category (24% increase) compared to men (7% increase). This difference was the biggest finding in the study. About 59% of patients reported feeling hungrier after the transplant, which makes sense because their new kidney was working and their body was healthier. Seventeen percent of patients reported exercising more, which is positive for overall health. However, the food choices patients made became less healthy: they ate fewer vegetables, fruits, and chicken, but ate more bread, dairy products, processed meats, fried foods, sugar, and sugary drinks. Patients also started adding more salt and sugar to their food and eating second helpings more often.

One surprising and important finding was about pica—a condition where people crave non-food items. Before transplant, 33% of patients had pica, but after six months, only 1% still had it. This dramatic improvement suggests that the new kidney was helping their bodies absorb nutrients better and that their overall health and mood improved significantly. The study also found that physical activity increased by at least 15 minutes for some patients, which is a positive lifestyle change.

Previous research has shown that weight gain is common after organ transplants because patients feel better and have more energy, plus medications can increase appetite. This study confirms those findings but adds important details about food quality—patients aren’t just eating more, they’re eating different (and often less healthy) foods. The dramatic disappearance of pica is particularly noteworthy and suggests that transplant patients’ nutritional status improves much more than previously documented.

The study has several important limitations to consider. First, the abstract doesn’t specify how many patients participated, making it hard to know how reliable the results are. Second, the study only followed patients for six months, so we don’t know if these eating habit changes continue, improve, or get worse over time. Third, all participants received kidneys from living donors, so results might be different for people receiving kidneys from deceased donors. Fourth, the study didn’t explain why patients made unhealthier food choices despite feeling better—it just documented that it happened. Finally, we don’t know if patients received nutrition counseling or education, which could have affected their choices.

The Bottom Line

If you’re preparing for a kidney transplant, discuss nutrition planning with your healthcare team before surgery. After transplant, work with a registered dietitian who understands transplant patients’ needs. Focus on eating more vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins while limiting processed meats, fried foods, and sugary drinks—even though you’ll feel hungrier. Be especially mindful of portion sizes and added salt and sugar. Take advantage of increased energy to exercise regularly. Women should be particularly aware that weight gain may be more likely and may want extra nutrition support. (Confidence level: Moderate—based on observational data, not controlled experiments.)

This research is most relevant for people preparing for kidney transplants, their families, and healthcare providers who care for transplant patients. Dietitians and nutritionists working with transplant patients should use this information to develop better counseling programs. People who have already had kidney transplants may find this helpful for understanding their own experiences. This research is less relevant for people with kidney disease who haven’t had transplants yet, though it shows the importance of good nutrition planning.

Weight changes typically appear within the first few months after transplant, as shown in this six-month study. Appetite increases usually happen within weeks of successful transplant. The disappearance of pica happened within six months, suggesting nutritional improvements occur relatively quickly. However, long-term weight management will require ongoing attention to eating habits and exercise throughout life after transplant.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake by photographing meals and noting specific foods eaten (vegetables, fruits, processed meats, fried foods, sugary drinks). Also track weekly weight and minutes of physical activity. This creates a clear picture of eating patterns and helps identify when unhealthy choices increase.
  • Set a specific goal like ’eat vegetables with lunch and dinner’ or ’limit sugary drinks to 2 per week’ rather than vague goals. Use the app to log these specific foods daily and celebrate when you meet your goal. For exercise, set a realistic target like ‘20 minutes of walking, 3 days per week’ and track completion.
  • Weekly check-ins on weight trends (not daily, as weight fluctuates), monthly review of food patterns to spot unhealthy choices creeping in, and quarterly discussions with your healthcare team about progress. Use app notifications to remind you to log meals and exercise, and set alerts if weight increases more than expected or if unhealthy foods dominate your diet.

This research describes what happened to kidney transplant patients in one study and should not replace personalized medical advice. Every transplant patient is different, and your experience may differ from these findings. Before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine after transplant, discuss them with your transplant team, nephrologist (kidney doctor), and registered dietitian. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical guidance. If you’re considering a kidney transplant, work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan for your specific situation.