Donating Blood

captaincaveman86
captaincaveman86 Posts: 4 Member
edited October 7 in Health and Weight Loss
Does donating blood burn calories?

Replies

  • candu129
    candu129 Posts: 21 Member
    I have wondered that too. I have been a blood donor for years. Does it constitute a calorie loss?
  • captaincaveman86
    captaincaveman86 Posts: 4 Member
    I plan on donating blood today and I will ask when I get there. I dislike needles but I'm building up the courage.
  • TheAnonGit
    TheAnonGit Posts: 123
    I asked when I planned on donating blood, and it does burn about 500 calories. However, it's a good idea to eat at least most of it back. Good for you for donating! I sure wish I could.
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    It takes about 600 calories for your body to replenish the blood you donate. You'd have to donate 6 times before it would amount to losing a pound. Since you can only donate about every 8 weeks, it would take almost a year for your blood donation to do anything really noticeable (48 weeks = 3600 calories worth of blood donation = just over 1 lb). I would just count that as a little bonus and not try to account for it. But if you feel you need a little extra snack in day or 2 following blood donation, go for it.
  • captaincaveman86
    captaincaveman86 Posts: 4 Member
    Great info. Thanks! Wish me luck. Adios.
  • justle
    justle Posts: 275 Member
    good for you!

    I donated for the first time back in November, i noticed a sign on the door saying they were doing it that day so i just walked in and asked if i could donate.

    such a lovely thing to do.
  • kiravana
    kiravana Posts: 1
    What an interesting question. One of my resolutions this year is to begin donating blood regularily, so it would be nice to know. Hehe. :)
  • debloves2ride
    debloves2ride Posts: 386
    I've been donating for years (Up to the 9 gallon mark) but I never thought about the calories it burned! I also felt guilty for eating those little snacks they give you. Ha - not any more YAY
  • captaincaveman86
    captaincaveman86 Posts: 4 Member
    Well, I did it. I got a little pale so they had to raise my feet. I have a fear of needles so I overcame that obstacle. Afterward, I only drank an H.E.B. sport drink that had 50 calories. It helped. I did ask the phlebotomist the calorie question and she said that we do lose calories as our body uses energy to replenish the loss of blood but she didn't know an exact amount. She also said that we do lose a pound of weight because they draw a pint of blood. Hmmm. That's all I got. Thanks for the help.
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