Tips on donating blood

Group: General Diet & Nutrition

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 399, Messages: 16719

With such a topic so broad we truly try to cover the basics from all angles in this group. Nothing too big or too small. Nutrition is as significant if not more as exercise is to reaching your goals so learn all you can.

Join group

yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/01/20, 12:55 AM I'm going to be donating blood tomorrow... second time... the first time was an interesting experience... I took the advice of many people and drank lots of water.. I must have at least consumed two gallons (not kidding)... I ate right before I went and still I almost passed out... any tips on what to do or what not to do in the hours leading up to donating blood? Also, I'll be laying off the exercise for about a week following... Thanks -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle

rev8ball Posts: 3,081 Joined: 2001/12/27	2004/01/20, 01:15 AM Good idea about the exercise... Eat a couple of good, substantial meals prior to donating, and make sure you get some high GI carbs immediately after; then another solid meal within an hour. And you can wait that time just in case you're a little queasy. Good luck! -------------- Michael Trample the weak; hurdle the dead! Chaos, Panic, Disorder.... Yes, my work here is done!
hecdarec Posts: 2,457 Joined: 2003/12/16	2004/01/20, 08:28 AM I usually lay on that table for about a half hour after I give. Once I get up off the table I go straight to the free orange juice and cookies. Also you may want to look away from the needle in your arm and the bag holding your blood. I dont know, just throwing out what works for me. -------------- Hec da Rec in full effect.
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/01/20, 09:59 AM Hey hec, you guys get liberty for donating. We used to get 'vampire liberty'. 24 hours off for donating. Rev hit it on the head rest and eat well prior. Hec also hit it well, don't be in a big hurry to get up and going. Ease into it, eat the freebies, then eat a good meal afterward. I give regularly. I follow all of these recommendations. 95% of the time no problems. The other times I don't know it just happens. You may give this time and be alright. Good luck, and thanks. I might be the one that needs that blood.
hecdarec Posts: 2,457 Joined: 2003/12/16	2004/01/20, 10:05 AM Liberty? For giving blood? I am in the Marines. We practically have to give a limb for liberty! -------------- Hec da Rec in full effect.
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/01/20, 12:07 PM LOL
Jdelts Posts: 1,218 Joined: 2003/10/19	2004/01/20, 02:35 PM All good advice... maybe you are a little anxious? Maybe you expect to be light-headed? Just wondering, if not, then Rev8's advice is right on. Good luck and don't pass out. -------------- May the lift be with you.
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/01/20, 02:49 PM hahahaha... last time I was a little nervous... didn't sleep well the night before... last night I had a decent sleep... I've been eating most of today... (decent stuff) so I should be okay... I hope! -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/01/21, 09:32 AM Just wanna mention that I donated my unit of blood last night.... here's what I did: Basically continued to eat all day... I split a foot long sub into three parts and ate that throughout the day, an orange... couple bowls of corn flakes in the morning with some toast with peanut butter on it... some roast beef with potatoes and veggies for lunch and about five or six carrots.. and lots of water... I lost track, but it had to be around seven litres... I spread all that over a nine or ten hour period and had no problems in donating, in fact, I felt as though I could have filled another bag! Thanks for the tips! -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/01/21, 09:46 AM Great news.
INTRUDER Posts: 642 Joined: 2002/06/27	2004/01/23, 11:31 AM Good deed; Im proud of you. -------------- "Get everthing you want--just make a little change now"
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2004/01/23, 11:34 AM Well... thanks...! I was thinking the last time and this time for that matter, the little itty bit of pain I feel when I get the needle in the arm, or feel like passing out is nothing compared to the person that needs the blood... so it was something I feel honored to do! -------------- Tim "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." Aristotle