What to log for a blood donation?

dawie

Hi, I'm a regular donor and have given my pint of blood tonight. I've just read that donating burns calories and wondered what to log for it, if anything?
Thank you x

woofer00

600-650 by some estimates - just search Google. I don't know if that counts as 'burn' so much as healing or replenishment

libbydoodle11

If you really feel you need to log something like this then go ahead. I personally wouldn't bother but that is just me. I wouldn't really consider giving blood a form of exercise. I would focus more on logging the little cookies and juice they gave me.

Ump78

I donate every 8 weeks like clockwork. And, since I don't want my diary telling me I have "extra" calories anyway......I log my exercise to show 0 calories burned. When I log it at all.

FredDoyle

Well really it might be a wash. I had it explained this way. It might take 500-600 kcals to replenish the blood over a week but you also may be slightly less active over that time so...did you really gain or lose anything?

Kalikel

Unsure about the calories, but it's always a good idea to eat a meal before and have something after if you feel funky.

Drink your water!!

And good for you, doing your part to help people who really need help!!

leggup

I looked this up a while ago. I saw ranges between 300-600 calories for a single red (Whole Blood) donation. However, that's how many calories it takes to replenish over time. It's not like you can eat that amount back.

However, I will say that I feel extra horrid right after and give myself an extra 250 calories to eat that day, trying to get extra iron and vitamin C. This is only the case when I donate whole blood. I highly recommend donating double red blood if you can (it has a higher iron requirement, higher weight requirement, and you have to wait longer between donations). I actually feel more energetic and healthy after donating double red. After whole blood/single red I want a nap and I feel like I'm moving in slow motion for a day or so.

Kalikel

I looked this up a while ago. I saw ranges between 300-600 calories for a single red (Whole Blood) donation. However, that's how many calories it takes to replenish over time. It's not like you can eat that amount back.

However, I will say that I feel extra horrid right after and give myself an extra 250 calories to eat that day, trying to get extra iron and vitamin C. This is only the case when I donate whole blood. I highly recommend donating double red blood if you can (it has a higher iron requirement, higher weight requirement, and you have to wait longer between donations). I actually feel more energetic and healthy after donating double red. After whole blood/single red I want a nap and I feel like I'm moving in slow motion for a day or so.

It's so good of you (and everyone!) to donate!

If anyone else is wondering, "Is double red blood the same as packed" RBCs, I googled what I quoted there and it is.

VelveteenArabian

I don't think this is something you should be logging. If you're hurting this much for calories to eat back, you're not eating enough in the first place.

Alatariel75

I'm with the "don't log it" brigade - yes it does take calories to rebuild the stock but it happens over time. Have some extra calories on the day if you need them but don't fret too much over it.

La5Vega5Girl

I would focus more on logging the little cookies and juice they gave me.

^^^^^

FindingAmy77

I would focus more on logging the little cookies and juice they gave me.

^^^^^