donating plasma
dkelz
Posts: 19 Member
I'm looking for a little advice here. I donate plasma twice a week untill I can get a job. The center I donate at gives asvice for what to eat and do the day of and before donating. But that doesn't address dieting issues. What should be my goal weight loss each week and should I not worry about calories consumed on the days I donate? I want to lose about a pound to 1.5 lbs a week. Is that too ambitious? I often feel weak on the donating days and will not exercise. And I do have to watch my fat intake always because it will clog the filter they use. Which brings up another question.......how does donating help lose weight? Does it filter enough fat to really make a weight loss difference? Any tips would be helpful! 
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They tell you not to drink the night before nor eat red meats. So before you go, have a good meal and possibly bring a snack. (all with in your calories of course) i dont know how it "helps" you lose weight. And make sure you drink LOTS of water.0
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Just listen to your body - if you feel too weak to work out on donating days, then don't work out those days. Maybe you could look at your calorie intake on a weekly basis instead of daily. So if 1500 x 7 = 10,500, then balance it out so that's how many calories you eat per week - more on donating days, less on the other days (of course, your numbers may vary).
I'm glad you've found something beneficial for others as a way to earn a little extra $$!1 -
Just listen to your body - if you feel too weak to work out on donating days, then don't work out those days. Maybe you could look at your calorie intake on a weekly basis instead of daily. So if 1500 x 7 = 10,500, then balance it out so that's how many calories you eat per week - more on donating days, less on the other days (of course, your numbers may vary).
I'm glad you've found something beneficial for others as a way to earn a little extra $$!
Thanks! I didn't even think to ration more calories one day from another! Ill try that! Good luck to all!0 -
I would exercise BEFORE you go and donate, then relax the rest of they day. I also donate. The fact that you are tired is more due to the fact that you need more "water" to fill the void from lost plasma.0
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You do loose calories donating, I think a figure I saw somewhere was about 200 over a few days. I think there may be a little more since your body has to work to heat up the saline solution they put back in. I've lost a little weight donating before. I'd keep your calories at what MFP suggests and just call the little burn you get from donating a bonus. I know for me, I have a hard time keeping my iron level up where they want it, so I usually have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, superdose my multivitamins, and have a fat fat cheeseburger for lunch. As long as you generally eat lean and drink a lot of water, your plasma won't be so fatty that they can't take it. You might donate slower though. I don't workout on donation days either, I just curl up in bed and sleep for a few hours.0
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I donated today and feel hungry now, but I only have 22 calories left today, so I'll drink some water and get to bed. I'll dream about cheeseburgers and brownie sundaes, lol.1
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I used to be an assistant manager at a Plasma Lab here in Arizona. Plasma is the watery part of your blood. You need to keep your water intake higher than normal the day before you donate. It will help with the weakness you feel after donating. be sure to also keep your fat intake down. Like you said, it clogs the filter. Be sure to not overindulge on the high iron foods (green leafy vegies and so forth) it can cause your iron to be to high and then you can't donate. But, the biggest things I stressed were no alcohol the day before, it will dehydrate you and you cannot donate. And, WATER. You have to drink plenty of water during the week. Water will help you feel fuller and thus you don't want to eat as much. So, will it help you lose weight, maybe. But, you are helping both yourself and others by donating and that is the best feeling.
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I donate plasma on tues/wed and work out mon/wed/fri it works for me!0
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Most of your blood is all watery. Just saying.
It does increase your total cals over the week you should have.
The body varies person to person; my brother feels better when he eats Ramen before donating (look at the label and tell me that's good for plasma :-/). As for me I feel better after eating some form of meat after.
Drinking 12 cups of water every day of a week will help you donate but after; you will probably still be shaky.
The fact is its not only "water" that comes out and its not only leaving red blood cells in your stream.
My suggestion is ofc drink water. Exercise before hand Eat the stuff they say. Having something in your stomach track and ready to go helps. Then snack and eat SLOWLY till you feel good. Find your balance and you will be awesome.0 -
Hey ya!
I have been looking for this info FOREVER! Now that I found it I thought I better share. My Plasma bank takes 3 different amounts of plasma based on how much you weigh. You will have to ask your bank to see if their amounts are the same but here is the numbers for BioMetic
110 lbs - 149 lbs
690 ml Plasma: 483.69 calories
Protein 49.51 g
Carbohydrates 63.65 g
Fat 3.45 g
150 lbs -175 lbs
825ml Plasma: 578.33 calories
Protein 59.19 g
Carbohydrates 76.11 g
Fat 4.13 g
176 lbs - above
880ml Plasma: 616.88 calories
Protein 63.14 g
Carbohydrates 81.18 g
Fat 4.40 g3 -
You're donating plasma twice a week?
In Australia you can't donate plasma within two weeks of each visit.
As the person above me said - the amount taken is determined by body weight.
The next time you are in your blood bank, ask to see the medical officer and discuss your weight loss and dietary guidelines with that person. He or she should be qualified to give you some reasonable advice.
kind regards,
Ben1 -
as others said, try to work out BEFORE you donate and drink lots and lots of water. see if you can find out about how many calories you lose by donating and eat those back as well.0
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bump0
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Honestly shocks me that you guys get paid for this stuff, in the UK we donate purely out of generosity, payment is illegal.
I know it's off topic, it just never ceases to amaze me.3 -
Honestly shocks me that you guys get paid for this stuff, in the UK we donate purely out of generosity, payment is illegal.
I know it's off topic, it just never ceases to amaze me.
That would make sense if it were blood donation for injured people but its plasma to help make meds for the profit of the med companies. I would never donate plasma without being paid.4 -
Honestly shocks me that you guys get paid for this stuff, in the UK we donate purely out of generosity, payment is illegal.
I know it's off topic, it just never ceases to amaze me.
That would make sense if it were blood donation for injured people but its plasma to help make meds for the profit of the med companies. I would never donate plasma without being paid.
well i don't think it's nice to make us all out to be greedy just because we get paid for plasma donation.
for blood donation, it is illegal to be paid and has been for decades. plasma is a different story.5 -
A- I donate, too. Twice a week. It's okay payment for an unemployed person who can't even afford walking shoes.
B- I wake up, eat a light breakfast, work out for 1-2 hours (light stuff), eat my lunch, then donate. The rest of the day is normal.
C- If you want to watch your iron, broccoli is an amazing source of iron! It's a miracle food! NO BURGERS!0 -
I don't know if it was a coincidence or what, but about 5 years ago I donated plasma (I'm actually going to start up again) and I lost weight.. A lot of weight. But then again, I don't know if it was because of donating and because I was "poor" I didn't really eat much so I didn't really gain weight ever. but not really sure. I quit going because I didn't have time.0
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Omg!! I've Been looking for this information for forever!! Thanx! Cause i heard it makes you GAIN weight and I so didn't want that! And another thing it is illegal to pay fir donating plasma that's why you don't get paid for the plasma you get paid for the wait time it takes! 0
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You don't actually get paid for the plasma you get paid for the wait time! And it is not easy...so ya we deserve pay!1
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If you're legit hungry, you need to eat and re-evaluate your choices to include more lean protein. It will keep you satiated.I donated today and feel hungry now, but I only have 22 calories left today, so I'll drink some water and get to bed. I'll dream about cheeseburgers and brownie sundaes, lol.0 -
I have been donating 2x a week for about a month and a half now. I lost 65 lbs before my son, and about 45 lbs after my son. My son is now 5 yrs old. I am an avid runner of 15 years 4 to 5 times a week, and a Poler of 6 months now. I have been at 162 lbs for almost 2 years no matter what I do, you name it. Just stuck. Well I had breast surgeon Sept. So did not run as much, obviously. And started donating plasma shortly after surgery. Not sure if one or the other or both kicked the weight loss in gear. Maybe the plasma donating. Maybe the rest from vigorous exercise allowed my body to regulate better...not sure. However within 2 months I lost 10 lbs. I'm now 152 lbs. And the weight loss has stayed. They actually asked me at the Plasma center if I was ok. Lol. Yes, I'm great, and started my running routine back up too. My goal is pre pregnancy weight of 145 lbs. Or 140 lbs to 145 lbs as a buffer (junk food lol). I'm happy and on my way!0
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If you're legit hungry, you need to eat and re-evaluate your choices to include more lean protein. It will keep you satiated.I donated today and feel hungry now, but I only have 22 calories left today, so I'll drink some water and get to bed. I'll dream about cheeseburgers and brownie sundaes, lol.
Looking at the depletion statistics that were mentioned above, I'd afford yourself that much macro room due to the loss! Dense proteins will really help! I always eat after a donation bc I can tell there is a loss there. Seeing actual numbers tells me I have room to indulge my inner fat girl a bit
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I donate both to help people and to make a little extra money. Its an involved process to do it and the company is making a profit off my plasma so why feel bad if I get paid also? In the UK does the company not make money? Time, physicals, pokes, discomfort. I'm happy to do it but if someones is making money off of it I should be too.
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I donate both to help people and to make a little extra money. Its an involved process to do it and the company is making a profit off my plasma so why feel bad if I get paid also? In the UK does the company not make money? Time, physicals, pokes, discomfort. I'm happy to do it but if someones is making money off of it I should be too.
Ignoring the sickening NHS privatisation du jour, no, the NHS should not make money from it. Not sure if you can donate privately. AFAIK It goes to the NHS and they'll give it to whoever needs it in hospitals, and the recipient would not be charged. Labs also use it (e.g. for feeding bloodborne parasite cultures) but I'm not sure if they buy it or not...I know it comes from the transfusion service, though.0 -
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I have used this app on and off for about 7 years, when I first started everyone was so motivational and helpful! Now you see people on here who bash others because they have legit questions, because of personal opinion. I donate plasma, and I have a full time job, AND they compensate me for my time! Anyway, the amount of plasma they take is based on your weight, so the amount of calories your body loses during donations is different for the weight classes. Talk to your donation center, I'm sure if you are a regular donor you get the annual physical checkup. Talk to them AND your regular primary doctor to see what your best options are for diet to keep your Iron, protein, and other levels healthy for YOU! I know for my weight class donation takes 583 calories, so on donation days, I light exercise or use it as a stretch day, I add the donation into my exercise database on MFP manually, so that I can accurately keep on track with my intake and out take of calories.1
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A- I donate, too. Twice a week. It's okay payment for an unemployed person who can't even afford walking shoes.
B- I wake up, eat a light breakfast, work out for 1-2 hours (light stuff), eat my lunch, then donate. The rest of the day is normal.
C- If you want to watch your iron, broccoli is an amazing source of iron! It's a miracle food! NO BURGERS!
I first learned I was anemic when I was turned away from donating blood. I like broccoli, and eat it all the time, but the idea of it as a good source of iron for someone who really needs to watch iron is laughable.
I'd have to eat 9.5 cups of broccoli to get the same amount of iron as 2 oz of Wellshire liverwurst.
I'm sensitive to the exploitation of animals, but I wish people who promote plant-based iron sources would include some facts.3 -
kshama2001 wrote: »A- I donate, too. Twice a week. It's okay payment for an unemployed person who can't even afford walking shoes.
B- I wake up, eat a light breakfast, work out for 1-2 hours (light stuff), eat my lunch, then donate. The rest of the day is normal.
C- If you want to watch your iron, broccoli is an amazing source of iron! It's a miracle food! NO BURGERS!
I first learned I was anemic when I was turned away from donating blood. I like broccoli, and eat it all the time, but the idea of it as a good source of iron for someone who really needs to watch iron is laughable.
I'd have to eat 9.5 cups of broccoli to get the same amount of iron as 2 oz of Wellshire liverwurst.
I'm sensitive to the exploitation of animals, but I wish people who promote plant-based iron sources would include some facts.
I had a pound and a half of roasted broccoli for lunch yesterday (I really, really love broccoli) and it was just 25% of my daily RDA for iron. And that was a lot of broccoli, much more than many people would want to eat in a sitting. Broccoli is an okay source of iron, I'd never call it amazing.2
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