Platelet Donation and Sugar Intake

angua1234

So I donate platelets every 1-2 weeks and this is very important to me and I'm not going to stop even if it hinders my weight loss. However, I'm curious about the snacks and such that they always give you when you donate and the fact that you're not supposed to exercise the evening after you donate.

I normally work out in the evenings and I really don't have time any other time of the day, so I'm burning fewer calories that day. On top of that, they always give me really sugary snacks and juice and such while I'm donating and encourage me to eat them to keep my blood sugar up.

So I guess my question has several parts:
1) I know donating blood burns calories, but does donating platelets? You don't lose any blood volume when you donate because they give saline to make up for the loss in plasma and such. I'm curious if I can feel less bad about missing the gym that day or if I can log a few extra calories for the snacks and such and not try to restrict myself too much that day.

2) Do you really need to increase your sugar intake that much for a platelet donation (because you don't lose any whole blood) or just your fluid intake?

3) Would I be good to just take some water or maybe one of the cans of juice and reject the cookies? Those little cans of cranberry juice are <100 calories and I know juice in general has a pretty high sugar content.

I'm genuinely trying to figure out what the best way to approach this is for my health. I know that I'm prone to shock if I'm not in top shape when I donate so I don't want to be super restrictive on myself, but since this is every 1-2 weeks, I also don't want to just eat on maintenance that day unless I have to.

Sued0nim

How is your weight loss going bearing in mind that you donate - that's all you need to know really

1) probably - your body has to reproduce the platelets and that takes energy

2) follow medical guidelines - the sugar is required

3) no

KateTii

If donating the platelets is so important, it will be worth a maintenance day - or even a slightly over day. Just do what the clinic says, especially if you were prone to shock beforehand. If you faint or have issues while in the clinic, they might not let you go again next time. Or even worse, you might have issues driving home.

haviegirl

I don't know the answer to your questions, but I want to thank you for being a regular donor. I admire your selflessness. You are saving lives!

misskarne

Agreed with KateTii. Maintenance day! I do that when I give whole blood. (I'd love to give plasma but I have dubious veins.)

Besides, I also think being awesome burns a few extra calories.

vegangela_

Perhaps instead of the high sugar snacks eat low GI carbs on those days as well as eating at maintanence.

Sued0nim

Why do you think GI is relevant here?

Sugar on it's own has a moderate GI rating - mix it with fats and it's probably lowered

Hence sugary snacks would be relatively low GI

OP has not mentioned any insulin issues but that she is donated blood products - medical advice is to take sugary snacks, what possible foundation do you have for this advice?

vegangela_ wrote: »

Perhaps instead of the high sugar snacks eat low GI carbs on those days as well as eating at maintanence.