Gave Blood Today...

petunia

I know I need to drink extra fluids, etc... but I've never been watching my calories this closely when I've given before... probably sounds crazy, but wonder if I should eat a few extra calories today to compensate? I know I can't exercise (no strenous exercise allowed today)...

I know it's probably not enough that I should really even be concerning myself with it, but just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about it??

Thanks all!

petunia

I know I need to drink extra fluids, etc... but I've never been watching my calories this closely when I've given before... probably sounds crazy, but wonder if I should eat a few extra calories today to compensate? I know I can't exercise (no strenous exercise allowed today)...

I know it's probably not enough that I should really even be concerning myself with it, but just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about it??

Thanks all!

Glammy

Good question - I'll be donating in a couple weeks, so I'd like to know too!

Poison5119

There are usually little snacks and drinks there to 'recoup' your loss. But no, you don't need to add anything more than your usual number of snacks.

sgtinvincible

I think despite the extra calories, you need to make sure and replenish those fluids.

THOUGH, I came across these interesting facts from the Mayo Clinic....

Only 5 percent of eligible donors across the nation donate blood, but the number of transfusions nationwide increases by 9 percent every year.

Blood donors can donate as frequently as every 56 days. A benefit from donating this often is that you receive a mini-physical once every two months.
Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

About 133,700 units of blood products are transfused at Mayo Clinic annually.

Whole blood donation only takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

On average, a hip replacement typically uses one unit of blood, a cardiac bypass 2 units, a heart transplant 2 units, and a liver transplant 10 units!

Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come as a gift from people.

The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months. People are more apt to be traveling and active during these times and thus are at an increased risk for accidents.

Statistics show that 25 percent or more of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime.

You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood.

So, 650 calories from donating. Pretty sweet huh?

SO GIVE GIVE GIVE!!!!

-J (O-Negative Hero)

shorerider

You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood.

So, 650 calories from donating. Pretty sweet huh?

SO GIVE GIVE GIVE!!!!

-J (O-Negative Hero)

How in the HECK can you burn 650 calories by giving blood? Is it because your body has to remake blood to cover what you gave or what?

But also, think of the weight loss from losing a pint of blood! (yeah, yeah, I know, it would be only temporary)

runnerwithstyle

Drink water, eat, and take it easy with exercise. Bravo! You saved a life.

petunia

wow... awesome find... 650 calories is awesome.. no wonder I'm hungry! Don't know if I'll break down and eat all those extra calories, but it's good to know!

also, what they said about the mini physical is true... I have to brag a little about this one..

So there have been a few times in the past where I've tried to give blood and I wasn't able to b/c my iron was too low... has happened a few times, they have always had to 'spin' my blood to see if there was enough (I'm not in the medical field, so I don't understand this, but if you fail the first test, they give you another one that's more sensitive)

anyway...

So, when I got to the donation center today, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to give. There was a LONG line, and I wanted to leave, but then I noticed that the 'list' of their supply was posted and my blood type was REALLY low... (O+)... so I decided to stick around...

when it got around to being my turn, I told the nurse right away that I've had problems before and that she might want to do the iron test first to save us all some time if I wasn't going to be able to do it...

so, she checked it and... for the first time ever... I passed the test on the first try!!!! I didn't have to have the 'spin test'... In addition, my resting heart rate was 72 and my BP was 118/78.. I was also 20 lbs lighter than the last time I gave (not too long after the birth of my twin girls)...

so, this very long post was all just to say this...

This 'lifestyle' and the help from this site have made me a healthier person.. today proves it! It's nice to see the results in a different manner... not just the scale!

snow7kids

Wow, I didn't know donating used up that many calories....I've given blood about 4 times in my life....not as much as I should. I have O+ blood also so I get called by the Red Cross all the time. I don't mind doing it but I don't enjoy the mini physical. My pulse is always high (has been all my life)--even when I workout on a regular basis. The last time I gave my RHR was 99 and the lady asked me if I ran there. She said if it was over 100 I couldn't donate. Thanks for reminding me that it is time to donate again.
I've also failed the iron test :frown: