Eat these foods before and after a blood donation

Blood donation is one exciting process that can revive you both physically and mentally. Of course, blood donation has some after effects, the main one being fatigue. This fatigue is only an indication from your brain that your body needs iron more.

More about blood donation:

Before donation, your blood undergoes a screening which checks your hemoglobin levels. An adequate amount of hemoglobin in the blood helps transport oxygen to your body’s tissues. Just remember that if the screenings show your hemoglobin is too low, you will not be allowed to donate blood.

Yes, eating the right food before and after blood donation is important. Therefore, it is significant to know what to eat before and after donating blood that can help you fill in the lost vitamin and iron.

What to eat before blood donation?

Low fat foods:

You must have a low-fat meal before you go to donate blood. If you have a high-fat meal, it can obstruct the blood testing process as fat in the blood can make it almost impossible to test the blood for communicable diseases. If you wish to have breakfast before blood donation, you can have a small piece of fruit, or a bowl of low-fat milk is apt but nothing too fatty is advisable.

Vitamin C rich foods:

If you are scheduled for blood donation you can have foods that are rich in Vitamin C as it helps your body to absorb iron. You can have orange, grape and juices of other citrus fruits to have Vitamin C.

What to eat after blood donation?

Foods with iron, of course:

Iron carries oxygen to your tissues and without iron, your body fails to produce or maintain healthy red blood cells. To sustain healthy body functions, your body must make new blood cells. Consumption of foods enriched in iron can give you enough iron to maintain the number of red blood cells. Foods like spinach, fish, red meat, poultry, raisins and beans etc. are high in iron. Apart from these, nuts and peanut butter also contain it. You can also have cereals that contain iron.

Foods having folate:

Your body uses folate, also known as B9, folic acid or folacin, to manufacture new red blood cells. This helps to replace blood cells lost during donation. Foods that contain folate include liver, dried beans, asparagus and green, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens. Orange juice is another source of folate. Fortified bread, cereals and rice also can contain this vitamin.

Vitamin B-2 contained foods:

Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt are enriched in riboflavin. Also known as Vitamin B2, it is an essential component to generate red blood cells. Riboflavin will help your body to turn carbohydrates into energy. The foods that are enriched in riboflavin are eggs, leafy vegetables, nuts, asparagus, broccoli and vitamin-fortified cereals.

Food with Vitamin B-6:

Foods that have Vitamin B6 can be beneficial for you in many ways after you donate blood. When you donate blood, your body requires vitamin to generate healthy blood cells and B6 helps the body to break down proteins as protein is enriched in many nutrients that you need after you give blood. Potatoes, seeds, nuts, eggs, red meat, spinach and bananas are some of the foods that are a rich source of vitamin B6.

Fluids:

When you are done with blood donation, it is for sure that your body will require energy and eating a meal rich in aforementioned components can help you regenerate the lost blood cells. However, you must also have fluids with the food you consume. Your body will readjust by drinking fluids 24 to 48 hours after donating blood.