Donating Blood and Calories Lost - Help

Eh - I'm all for lifestyle changes, but I don't think you have to be so concrete. An all or nothing approach leaves you little room for the inevitable slip up, and trust me, everyone slips up.

The idea should be moderation. A brownie once a month isn't bad for you at all...it's when it becomes a brownie every other day......

I agree, but I have no answers for you about calories lost with blood donation...I wasn't even aware that you lost calories doing it. hmmmm!!

I didn't know it expends calories but it does dehydrate you - should double up on your water and I'd do a light work out, if any. Nothing wrong with taking a day off for something like that, better to be safe than sorry

Yeah, this isn't an exact science. The banana and almonds was a good choice. 200 calories isn't even worth worrying about one way or the other. You make that many errors in calculations every day.

I would definitely skip your workout tonight, you need to take it easy after donating blood. However, there's no need to eat the cookies and juice the blood bank provides. They only have you eat them to keep you there long enough to make sure you don't pass out, there's no real nutritional reason to eat them. Taking blood from your body doesn't give you low blood sugar, eating a brownie and drinking some juice isn't going to "replenish" anything. It takes time to rebuild your blood, that's why you can't donate again for 8 weeks.

So don't feel bad for not wanting to eat the brownie. There's no reason to, especially when you're trying to make important lifestyle changes. I would also treat today as an "off" day. Don't worry about how many calories donating blood make take, just eat a little extra if you feel like it. If you don't, you don't have to.

Once after donating blood, the technician told me I used 800 calories donating a pint of whole blood!

I've been told not to work out after a blood donation, especially not within 5h of one. If you really want to do something active today, take an easy stroll and stay hydrated. I agree with rbloedow, moderation is more important than tracking every single calorie in and out. That said, good call on the almonds and banana, that sounds more appetizing after a donation than the junk food they normally offer.
(sorry, no clue about calories lost in a pint of blood, probably depends on your body's ability to replenish the lost cells)

I went this EXACT scenario the last time I donated- I am still overcoming the sugar/sweet binges and even though I could "justify" the snacks, I didn't want to jeopardize the progress I've made- so I was declining the invitations over and over and over again,

to the point where it was getting REALLY annoying. It wasn't/isn't about vanity, it's about health- period.

I often wonder if they'd push it so much if I was diabetic- and YES, you can donate blood as long as it's under control. ( I asked)

It is important to sit and drink- so fill up on water- and next time, bring your own snacks- some stuff you CAN eat- just make sure you log it.

And no, it isn't a good idea to work out the same day. They themselves advise you to take it easy the same day.

I always find that I'm cold the evening after donating. There's not enough blood circulating around to keep me warm, apparently! I agree with the general consensus here. Take the night off, unless you want to go for an easy walk. I usually do, just to warm myself up!

I've donated blood many times and am off this Saturday to donate as well! Just listen to your body before you attempt any exercise. I had a friend donate with me once who swore up and down she felt perfectly normal after donating, but who then went back to work and was found passed out a few hours later in the back room. I usually feel a bit off for a few hours afterward and don't attempt much more than watching a movie, but by the evening I've never felt anything different to keep me from my normal activities and never had a problem.

I think it was a wise and sensible choice to bring your own snacks! Somehow I've never considered bringing my own and gone with the sugared fruit drinks and cookies while sitting afterward, but this time you've inspired me to grab my own banana and granola to bring along, thanks for the idea! It's definitely better to replenish on healthy foods that contain the nutrients you've lost than to munch away on sugar and fat laden treats.

... there's no need to eat the cookies and juice the blood bank provides. They only have you eat them to keep you there long enough to make sure you don't pass out, there's no real nutritional reason to eat them. Taking blood from your body doesn't give you low blood sugar, eating a brownie and drinking some juice isn't going to "replenish" anything. It takes time to rebuild your blood, that's why you can't donate again for 8 weeks.

No one said anything about instant "replenishment." And every resource I have read/seen, says to eat something, with sugar, to help with post donation low blood sugar levels.

So glad these boards are here -- I just got back from giving blood and was hoping I could give myself a little splurge today Ah well. The tech was nervous that I was biking back, but it's 1/2 mile from my house and I wasn't going to drive that far, and biking seems like less work than walking I made it home fine, anyway. Drinking lots of water.

I was bummed by the selection of after-donation snacks, though. Mostly total junk (Keebler cookies, Cheez-its, that sort of thing). I did the best I could with pretzels and raisins. They used to make the best tuna sandwiches I'd ever had, but they stopped doing that several years ago.

The Blood Center guy told me today that my body would burn 600 extra calories in the next day to replenish the blood I donated. I didn't know how true that was so I came home to check and found this board. No workout tonight and enjoyed a balanced meal with red meat. I did have the small OJ and some nutter butters after the donation too! I love OJ but always skip it.

Kendra

The way I see it your body just lost quite a bit of blood, a little rest and brownies will serve you well

I was on the GI Diet and so refused the biscuits after donating blood and had a banana instead. I got home and then almost passed out! I had to learn the hard way!

I think its better to skip exercise or just go for a light walk..and eat whatever suits you...You are doing great!!