Post blood donation snacks

JustPeachy044

I just gave blood and afterwards, of course, they sent me to the "canteen" with the direction to have a snack and water. Water was no problem, but the snacks, oh my! All kinds of carb-heavy, sugary snacks there! I about had a heart attack just reading the labels. I knew I needed to eat something, and I finally settled on a package of Nutter Butters for 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. My question is this, if you give blood, what do you do for a snack? Is it really important to have something high-carb? I am thinking next time I will take my own snack, like an apple or banana. Just wondering if anyone has other suggestions or things that work for you. I don't want to take this one snack out of proportion or anything, I really just prefer to stay away from the packaged snacks, as much as for the taste as the fact that they are so processed!!!

cks3d1

I usually go for the white cheddar popcorn or pretzels.. .and occassionally the little package of oreos to go!
i have a weakness for oreos!

It is important to put something back in your body after donating and like you said if you are that concerned over what they offer, bring your own after donation snack next time.

mirthegeologist

I go for the raisins or I'll much on an apple that I brought. I think that they are trying to make sure that you get some fluids & sugar in you to prevent post-donation fainting.

whatevany

I'm donating blood in June, I will be bringing almonds or dark chocolate.

shani251

when i give blood, they usually let me have a couple of cans of low sodium V8 instead of the high carb stuff.

drmerc

I just eat the free candy and enjoy it

bashiera

You should probably just eat something with sugar in it and count the calories. Your total blood volume is dropped, which can result in light headedness as well as getting something a little carby in you helps. So, eat the cookies and the juice, make it work in your daily calories. Besides, it's a once every 8 week thing, those cookies and apple juice won't hurt you severely. If you don't like them, bring fruit and a pb+j sandwich. I'm a nurse and I've done phlebotomy for blood drives, and we've had the people who refuse the snacks. They often feel pretty crappy afterwards without eating or drinking anything, so I highly advise getting something in you afterwards. Also, be sure to drink plenty of fluids a day before and that day, and avoid fatty foods as the fat can interfere with some of the blood tests after you donate.

afigueroa_pr

I just gave blood and afterwards, of course, they sent me to the "canteen" with the direction to have a snack and water. Water was no problem, but the snacks, oh my! All kinds of carb-heavy, sugary snacks there! I about had a heart attack just reading the labels. I knew I needed to eat something, and I finally settled on a package of Nutter Butters for 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. My question is this, if you give blood, what do you do for a snack? Is it really important to have something high-carb? I am thinking next time I will take my own snack, like an apple or banana. Just wondering if anyone has other suggestions or things that work for you. I don't want to take this one snack out of proportion or anything, I really just prefer to stay away from the packaged snacks, as much as for the taste as the fact that they are so processed!!!

I work as a blood center tech. Let me explain the reasoning why we want you to have sugary snacks:
You have to remember that when you donate blood, you are donating some of what I like to call your "life force"
All sorts of red cells, nutrients and proteins are taken away.
Some people feel a little faint after they donate and it is because of two main reasons. Loss of volume triggers a "vasovagal reaction" and the loss of some glucose when you donate.
That's why we enquire that you guys have a nice meal before you donate and we give you some snacks to make sure you're not going to pass out in the next hour or two.
I hope this helps!!
Have a nice day!!

Yanicka1

Don't forget to give yourself about 650 calories from the donation

bashiera

I just gave blood and afterwards, of course, they sent me to the "canteen" with the direction to have a snack and water. Water was no problem, but the snacks, oh my! All kinds of carb-heavy, sugary snacks there! I about had a heart attack just reading the labels. I knew I needed to eat something, and I finally settled on a package of Nutter Butters for 130 calories and 6 grams of fat. My question is this, if you give blood, what do you do for a snack? Is it really important to have something high-carb? I am thinking next time I will take my own snack, like an apple or banana. Just wondering if anyone has other suggestions or things that work for you. I don't want to take this one snack out of proportion or anything, I really just prefer to stay away from the packaged snacks, as much as for the taste as the fact that they are so processed!!!

I work as a blood center tech. Let me explain the reasoning why we want you to have sugary snacks:
You have to remember that when you donate blood, you are donating some of what I like to call your "life force"
All sorts of red cells, nutrients and proteins are taken away.
Some people feel a little faint after they donate and it is because of two main reasons. Loss of volume triggers a "vasovagal reaction" and the loss of some glucose when you donate.
That's why we enquire that you guys have a nice meal before you donate and we give you some snacks to make sure you're not going to pass out in the next hour or two.
I hope this helps!!
Have a nice day!!

What they said ^!

jofjltncb6

When I gave blood last week, I sat for about a minute, guzzled a bottle of water, and left without eating any snacks. Now if I had taken a header in the parking lot, I would have felt stupid, but I felt completely fine and have never had an issue after (or during) giving blood. I also take relatively much less time to actually complete the donation (but not sure how that factors into all this).

fionat29

In England we only have really boring snacks like potato chips or cookies and I never bother to have any. Of more interest to me is the above poster who says to count 650 calories for the blood loss, really?? Who calculated that? Lol!!

ChristySeeksBalance

The only reason I give blood is for the free Nutter Butters. If I couldn't eat them any more I'd probably quit going.

fittertanme

I dont think that if you have a pack that it will cause you any problems as you have given blood and need to build up again so dot worry you can get back to were you want to the next day and remember that your blood has saved many lives so well done

tabulator32

When I was in the Navy, we could get the afternoon off if we donated blood, so we would take the opportunity to go to the base club and have a few beers. Of course, it doesn't take as much to get a buzz after you've donated blood.

:noway: :glasses: :embarassed: :drinker:

SelkieDiver

Last time I arranged my donation appointment so I could eat lunch about 30 minutes prior to going. Had an apple afterward, along with a small cup of orange juice and then lots of water.

mom2mozart

This is an exerpt from an article I read:

"Blood contains proteins totaling 33-38 grams per pint, says Lora Sporny, Columbia University professor of nutrition and education. At four calories per gram, this translates to 132-152 calories, plus a small number expended by the liver to generate plasma components. Beyond the roughly 150 calories of glucose, triglycerides, amino acids and proteins, whole blood contains red and white blood cells and platelets, all generated within bone marrow. Based on a review of the scientific literature, one can safely conclude "to replace a pint of donated whole blood, your Parma reader will likely use at least 350-400 calories, or about the number in half a slice of The Cheesecake Factory's Original Cheesecake. So tell him to go ahead and enjoy a thin piece," Sporny says."

JustBreathSB

After I donate blood I usually have a glass of apple juice and a package of cookies. I figure having this one crappy snack once every 8 weeks isn't going to hurt me. It's not like I'm snacking on cookies everyday. I don't trip on it, ever.

And I never ever work out on donation days.

SlideboyxBrian

I give Plasma every two weeks and have water during and post donation. I have the cheese and cracker and keep the small chocolates for my kids when I get home.

Yanicka1

In England we only have really boring snacks like potato chips or cookies and I never bother to have any. Of more interest to me is the above poster who says to count 650 calories for the blood loss, really?? Who calculated that? Lol!!

Same way breastfeeding burn calories?. It is not burning calories per say it just take energy for your body to replenish the blood you lost

Trechechus

I don't log when I donate blood.

GorillaNJ

Treat its as a treat day for doing someting great for others... and remember to skip the gym that day and even take it easy the next day.

well worth a package of oreos.

NoAdditives

Don't forget to give yourself about 650 calories from the donation

Having blood drained from your body does not burn calories. And, since the blood is "replaced" by the body slowly (which is why you're only allowed to donate every 8 weeks) you burn a negligible amount of calories rebuilding your blood supply. There is absolutely no reason to add 650 calories.


ETA: It's not necessary to eat anything after donating blood. Increasing your blood sugar level doesn't help. They just want you to stick around long enough after donating to make sure that you don't pass out.

onequirkygirl

No, they just don't want you to sue them.

The idea's to get your blood sugar up and break down slowly. I always keep a Glucerna shake in my purse for days I'm feeling charitable.

NoAdditives

In England we only have really boring snacks like potato chips or cookies and I never bother to have any. Of more interest to me is the above poster who says to count 650 calories for the blood loss, really?? Who calculated that? Lol!!

Same way breastfeeding burn calories?. It is not burning calories per say it just take energy for your body to replenish the blood you lost

Yes, breastfeeding burns calories. It takes a fair amount of effort to continuously feed another human being. Pregnant women need to eat more, right? Why shouldn't a nursing mother? Having blood drained does not burn calories. The blood supply is replenished slowly, so it doesn't take a serious amount of extra nutrition to rebuild that pint of blood.

onequirkygirl

I wish there was a breastfeeding switch so you could do it without having to deal with the offspring.....


I'd save a TON on groceries!

Perisylpha

Here in the UK, they give you a cup of tea and a digestive biscuit after giving blood. I've always wanted to give blood but I'm always on meds so I can't

Yanicka1

In England we only have really boring snacks like potato chips or cookies and I never bother to have any. Of more interest to me is the above poster who says to count 650 calories for the blood loss, really?? Who calculated that? Lol!!

Same way breastfeeding burn calories?. It is not burning calories per say it just take energy for your body to replenish the blood you lost

Yes, breastfeeding burns calories. It takes a fair amount of effort to continuously feed another human being. Pregnant women need to eat more, right? Why shouldn't a nursing mother? Having blood drained does not burn calories. The blood supply is replenished slowly, so it doesn't take a serious amount of extra nutrition to rebuild that pint of blood.

It was on the mayo clinic web site but they took it down. Probably because they don't want some morons using that in order to lose weight. I really do not care for me since I do eat more then 2000 calories a day but for those poor souls that eat 1200 calories they should eat more when giving blood.

Lampy00512

I usually just pig out on the gummies, cinnanmon crackers, and pretzels. I don't wanna pass out, so, I eat, eat, eat!

k011185

The place I used to donate always brought orange juice, chocolate covered almonds and an apple afterwards. That always worked like a charm for me, I would just pack something like that along if they dont give you any options you are happy with.

Contrarian

In England we only have really boring snacks like potato chips or cookies and I never bother to have any. Of more interest to me is the above poster who says to count 650 calories for the blood loss, really?? Who calculated that? Lol!!

Same way breastfeeding burn calories?. It is not burning calories per say it just take energy for your body to replenish the blood you lost

Yes, breastfeeding burns calories. It takes a fair amount of effort to continuously feed another human being. Pregnant women need to eat more, right? Why shouldn't a nursing mother? Having blood drained does not burn calories. The blood supply is replenished slowly, so it doesn't take a serious amount of extra nutrition to rebuild that pint of blood.

It was on the mayo clinic web site but they took it down. Probably because they don't want some morons using that in order to lose weight. I really do not care for me since I do eat more then 2000 calories a day but for those poor souls that eat 1200 calories they should eat more when giving blood.

She is correct. It was on the Mayo Clinic's website until recently.