How much after giving blood?

amymeenieminymo

I am giving blood this afternoon and I usually have a juice box and a pack of lorna doones or something afterward. I guess most of my meals are kinda high today so I don't have many calories left and eating my usual snack will definitely leave me without a snack this evening and it may even put me over even without thinking about the PM snack (I already worked out this morning so exercise calories are already figured into this).

So if I drink a lot of water before and after, and I will be eating lunch just about an hour before donating, and I won't be driving for three hours after the donation, can I get by on just a juice box with no cookies after donation?

McFatterton

Have you figured in the amount of calories that you will burn giving blood? I'm not sure on an exact number, but I know that it is quite high.

kerrilucko

eat the cookies. It's important. Whenever I give blood they won't let anyone leave without eating SOMETHING. IF you prefer, you could bring a peice of fruit or something, but eat something.

DeeDeeLHF

I agree! Eat something! When I donate I ask for a 100% juice box and then I choose some type of cracker instead of the cookies.
Thanks for donating!!!!

DeeDeeLHF

I was curious so I looked it up. You lose 600-650 calories for donating blood BUT...the process of "burning" that is spread out over a period of time so you can't count it.

Chalk this one up to doing the right thing even if it doesn't "help' you diet.

I am always more tired and more hungry for about two days following. I respect my body and listen to that. I do stretches and calisthenics as opposed to swimming or walking and I do allow myself some extra calories.

The more water that you drink the faster you will bounce back!

Again, THANKS!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

mrsbeck

I don't restrict calories if I'm donating. I don't mean go nuts and eat whatever you want, I mean listen to what your body is telling you. I always feel hungry the first few hours after donating, and find that if I ignore that feeling, I'll end up shaky and weak.

As a previous poster mentioned, I ease up a little bit on the exercise for a day or two after as well.

You can't blow your weight loss/healthy living plan by going a little bit over on one day.

amymeenieminymo

Yeah that all makes sense, thanks everyone!

lilelephant

:flowerforyou: Thanx to all of you who donate blood! I know this is off topic but it means a lot to me because my little brother gets blood transfusions 1-2 a month.
Thank you for being so special!!!

mdale2

Ooh tip on the snack after donating --- bring a banana or some fruit juice. I get a little dizzy after donating and the banana is a healthy (fast) way to bump my blood sugar level quickly to avoid the faint feeling.

amymeenieminymo

:flowerforyou: Thanx to all of you who donate blood! I know this is off topic but it means a lot to me because my little brother gets blood transfusions 1-2 a month.
Thank you for being so special!!!

Thanks for sharing that. I know my donations helps people, but it's always that much more meaningful to know exactly who they are helping :flowerforyou:

kristinlough

So glad to see this - I'll be giving blood today! I'm disappointed about missing a hard workout tomorrow, but it's one of those things I try to do as often as I'm allowed :happy: