I've given blood in the past, but not since going on a diet. I know that after donating there is always a table full of high sugar and calorie foods and you are encouraged to eat and drink juice.

I don't want to not give blood, but also don't want blow the diet. Does anyone know how much quick sugar I really need to get back into my system after donating.

How do the rest of you handle this?

My husband is a nurse, and his idea was to donate immediately after having a good, wholesome lunch or dinner, while you are still full. This way you are not at a low point sugar wise, so you can bypass the sweet table. Take some of the fruit juice offered, but pass on the cookies, or bring a bottle of your own that is 1/2 juice, 1/2 water, and an apple or orange, or other more wholesome snack. Replacing the fluids is the key thing, so make sure you drink lots of water for the remainder of the day.

I used to donate a lot, but now live in a small town that doen't have a blood bank at the current time (we get a supply from the large city 3 hours away ... tho with winter weather here, it scares me to think what would happen if there were a major accident, and the roads were such that we could not get a refilled supply.)

Vtmom, the table also has stuff like pretzles which is what I will grab. You need the fruit juice and can by-pass the rest.
Also, what hnyack says makes a lot of sense!
:rose:

Go give blood! No worries!

I thank you for the help and the answers. I'm going next Wed right after lunch so I'll be full when I get there, and I will be taking a bottle of my own juice mixed with the water.:)

I've not donated blood.. Because I had one operation where I ended up hemoragghing they will not allow it... NOt sure why but I know they refused me.. hugs joanne :rose:

I've tried to donate blood in the past but I have always been told no because I carry a thallessemia trait which makes my hemoglobin very low anyway. So I tried to help out in other ways......as a nurse they are always glad to have help taking vital signs and such.



Vickie:coach: :dn

Its not the sugar.. you can also drink water to replace the blood that was taken out... but sugar and carbs (which is sugar to the body) raise up your blood sugar, hense it can keep you from passing out. But 1 glass of orange juice (which is what I've always seen) and 1 cookie doesn't "blow" a diet, IMO.


Originally posted by vtmom13
I've given blood in the past, but not since going on a diet. I know that after donating there is always a table full of high sugar and calorie foods and you are encouraged to eat and drink juice.

I don't want to not give blood, but also don't want blow the diet. Does anyone know how much quick sugar I really need to get back into my system after donating.

How do the rest of you handle this?

Thanks for the input John. I'm sticking with eating before I go donate [made my appointment for 12:45] and taking my own bottle of watered down OJ. I think this will work.

I gave blood yesterday! I have always been a regular donor. I used to make trips to the blood bank every couple of months, but it seems that now that the blood banks come to me, as the bloodmobile is parked outside of my work or at the gym at least once every month. In my weightloss journey, I have had to walk by many a table full of food I could not eat, what's one more? Since I am a big guy, I have never had any blood sugar problems from donating, but I will drink extra fluids the rest of the day.

I had a weird thought the yesterday after I gave blood. Seeing that I have been donating for about 20 years, I am guessing that I have given 5-10 gallons of blood. It made me wonder how many people were walking around with a little bit of me in them (I told you it was weird 8-} )

Jim

Not a weird thought at all Jim. I gave today using the info you have all given me. In the past I have felt light headed after donating, but I was fine today. Thank everyone :D

Glad it helped.

To all of you who have given blood you have my heartfelt thanks.
When my husband was diagnosed with cancer and started chemo he needed 34 transfusions. He always gave blood when he was younger and healthier and now our sons donate blood.

When he required platelet transfusion he needed donor specific platelets and fortunately he had 3 brothers who donated platelets. The Red Cross made sure the platelets were delivered to South Bend in a timely manner and saved my husbands life.

Donating blood is such a wonderful gift of life to those who need it so badly like my husband did. Thank you all so much. You never know when your donated blood will save a life!!!!!

Lizzie

I can't give anymore...they say at some point in my life I contracted hepatitis so now they reject me....Kinda funny that they never picked up on it any of the other times I gave blood or when I was pregnant and they test you for everything. They even said I don't have it now....hell, I don't really understand it all I know is that I can't anymore and it bums me out

Giving blood is a great gift. I haven't done so thus far as I struggle with anemia. I am motivated to try again...they may reject me, but at least I tried!

Hubby and I also donate blood regularly. I have also read that since your body is working at replacing the blood after, you are burning extra calories.

Where we give blood you get one cookie and one drink, not going to blow any diet there.

"Blood - it's in you to give"

Saving a life is worth the juice.