Breakfast, lunch, dinner and restaurants
In the days before your donation , eat healthy, iron-rich foods such as spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals and raisins. Get a good night’s sleep. At least 3 hours before donating , eat a balanced meal and avoid fatty foods , such as hamburgers, fries, or ice cream. Drink an extra 16 oz.
Drink an extra 16 oz. of water (or other nonalcoholic drink) before your appointment. Eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream . Wear a shirt with sleeves that you can roll up above your elbows.
Eat – don’t donate on an empty stomach . Eating before your donation will help to keep your blood sugar levels steady so that you don’t feel lightheaded or dizzy. Drink – we give you 500ml of water immediately before your donation , but it’s important that you are well hydrated in the days before your donation .
Donors should have a healthy meal and drink fluids within four hours before donating . It is best to avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages before donating .
Zero in on prunes, figs, eggs , liver, tomato juice and other iron-rich foods. “Just iron alone won’t work, make sure you include some vitamin C-rich foods too in your diet which help with the absorption of iron,” Agrawal says.
Tips to Get Enough Iron Eat lean red meat: This is the best source of easily absorbed heme iron . Eat chicken and fish: These are also good sources of heme iron . Consume vitamin C-rich foods: Eat vitamin C-rich foods during meals to increase the absorption of non-heme iron .
Health benefits of donating blood include good health and reduced risk of cancer and hemochromatosis. It helps in reducing the risk of damage to liver and pancreas. Donating blood may help in improving cardiovascular health and reducing obesity.
Burning calories. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated.
You will be denied from donating blood if: You have a fever at the time of donation , state that you do not feel well, or are taking antibiotics. You may be denied if you have a history of injection drug use or a history of selected sexually transmitted diseases.
You will have to rest for a while after you have donated blood . This means that you should not drive home right away.
Aspirin and ibuprofen will not affect a whole blood donation . However, apheresis platelet products can be affected if aspirin or aspirin products are taken 48 hours prior to donation . Many other medications are acceptable.
Eating regularly before donating will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable. This is important so that you don’t feel lightheaded or dizzy after your donation . Having a snack before donation can help maintain these blood sugar levels.
The American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounces, or 2 cups, of water before donating blood . Other nonalcoholic beverages are fine, too. This extra fluid is in addition to the recommended 72 to 104 ounces (9 to 13 cups) you should drink each day.
Before you donate plasma Beans. Beef. Broccoli. Breakfast cereals (iron-enriched) Chicken. Collards. Ham. Raisins.