giving blood and calories

goohan

Hi, I was thinking about giving blood soon, I was wondering if anyone knew if I should eat any extra calories or something after giving blood and if so, how much? I will probably give a liter of blood or something xx

calliope_music

i would maybe eat a few extra - they generally give you a snack when you're done (at least here in the US - cookies and some pretzels and soda/water). i would suggest eating it, especially if you're faint.

and DO NOT EXERCISE after giving blood! that's a great way of passing out! give yourself that as a rest day. your body needs time to regenerate your lost blood drink tons of water.

sarah44254

I say:

eat the snacks they offer you
do NOT exercise
drink more water than usual (before and after)
try to stay under your calories like any other day, BUT if you are feeling hungry (truly hungry, not snacky!) then eat. Something wholesome and good. Folks are different, I was very hungry the entire day after giving blood, and the next day felt rather bad. Some people aren't hungry at all and feel fabulous.

Take the hints from your body, rest and rehydrate. Thank you for donating :flowerforyou:

yanicka

I know that when I am under a calories defficit, I have a hard time getting all the iron I need. So if you do not want to be turned back because your iron is not high enought, try to take a supplement a few weeks before giving blood. I hate it when I take the time to give blood and they won't take it because my iron is .2 too low. It not that I am anemic, it,s just that at least here in canada they want your iron really high

healthyjen342

I say:

eat the snacks they offer you
do NOT exercise
drink more water than usual (before and after)
try to stay under your calories like any other day, BUT if you are feeling hungry (truly hungry, not snacky!) then eat. Something wholesome and good. Folks are different, I was very hungry the entire day after giving blood, and the next day felt rather bad. Some people aren't hungry at all and feel fabulous.

Take the hints from your body, rest and rehydrate. Thank you for donating :flowerforyou:

I agree..But first let me say, THANK YOU FOR DONATING! It only takes a few minutes to save a life...I too donated blood for the first time on Friday..I ate lunch RIGHT after and ate some pretzels and a diet coke they gave me so I didnt get woozy...I was advised NOT to exercise that day..but I was fine the next morning at 7am, i went to the gym...

Also, PLEASE make sure that you EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST!

PS...I wrote a blog post about my blood donating experience on Friday...Please read if you get a moment!

Marjorielk

After you give blood, they will want you to have a drink of juice and a couple of cookies. Also, best to donate after a meal.

beckyinma

DO NOT EXERCISE after! I made that mistake in college after giving blood the first time, they just said go home and rest.. well, the mile bike ride across campus to my dorm was enough exercise to cause me to black out in the kitchen making dinner...Good thing it was a tiny kitchen and there was a wall behind me to catch my fall and slide me to the floor...


Drink lots of water, and definitely eat the snacks/juice they give you during recovery.

You're doing a good thing. Way to go!