After Blood Donation What To Eat? 4 Types Of Foods To Replenish Your Body!

After blood donation what to eat? Restock the body’s nutrients with iron-enriched foods and vitamin C foods. They help keep your body healthy again. Also, include sports drinks and water drinks to help you stay hydrated. That way, your body will absorb all the nutrients that help your body feel better.

Remember that you’re a donor being the lifeblood of an organization. Make sure that you maintain your best health after the said donation. Give a pint of your whole blood all you want. That saves the lives of 3 people already. But after that, treat your body the right way. Take it easy while you replenish the lost nutrients. Avoid activities afterward and see a doctor, if needed.

after blood donation what to eat

 

The Recovery Period

You have to sit and relax for fifteen minutes after donating blood. Then, the attendant will offer juice, water, or snacks. That will help address or prevent dizziness or fatigue. You may then return to the usual activities if you feel you’re ready. Know that the human body makes two million red blood cells. And it takes place every second. Nevertheless, it requires a few weeks for the pint of blood drawn to be replaced. Some would feel the side effect of the lack of blood.

It’s best to wait for eight weeks before donating again. This is to ensure the body is fully recovered.

 

Foods To Eat After The Blood Donation

After blood donation, your body will need time to recover, and eating the right foods will help you get well faster. Just remember that blood donation lowers the body’s essential nutrients. So, drinking fluids and eating certain foods help the body to recover.

 

#1. B-Vitamins

B-vitamins like B-6, B-9, & B2 are essential for creating new forms of red blood cells. Other dietary B-vitamin sources include potatoes, bananas, dairy products, leafy greens, breakfast cereals, liver, and orange juice. The B-vitamin supplement is also beneficial for those who are on vegan or vegetarian diets. And that is true if they could not find it from their diet.

 

#2. Iron

Vitamin C aids the body in the absorption of iron. After blood donation what to eat includes more foods rich in this vitamin. These foods include tomatoes, bell peppers, and citrus fruits. Of course, an iron supplement will also do better. Regardless, the body loses two-hundred to two-hundred-fifty milligrams in minerals in every donation. That’s why eating iron-enriched foods is good. It helps replenish the minerals found in the blood. Some of the foods that contain iron are as follow:

  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Leafy greens
  • Red meat
  • Fortified cereals

 

#3. Folate

Folic acid helps create newer red blood cells in your body. So, include this as part of your diet. Add certain foods like leafy greens, asparagus, orange juice, kale, and more.

 

#4. Liquids

Get yourself some juice, a sports drink, or bottled water to replenish the fluid lost after donating blood. Continue to pump yourself with more fluids. Boost your intake for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Drink eight four-ounce glasses of liquid right after donation and continue for twenty-four hours. That already equates to thirty-two ounces or one liter.

The hydration levels would often go back in twenty-four hours. Pay attention to the body’s fluid intake. This is true if you are living or working in a hot space. Or, this is if you are working out.

 

After Blood Donation

Thanks to you, many lives are saved. You’d want to learn how many lives are saved by blood donations to know what I mean. But after doing a good deed, you must also ensure you will not do things that might compromise your safety and health by taking note of the things not to do after blood donation. Here is the list:

  • Doing vigorous exercise and heavy lifting
  • Taking alcohol for twenty-four hours
  • Climbing ladders wherein fainting could result in injury

 

Adverse Effects Experienced

After undergoing the process of blood donation, most volunteers turn out just fine, even happy and fulfilled because they helped someone. Still, sometimes some people will experience adverse effects after the procedure. Here are the following adverse effects that you might experience after blood donation:

 

#1. Bleeding

Bleeding is normal; just put a bandage over the area on which a needle is inserted, and you may also apply gentle pressure. That helps the blood to clot completely. Thus, the wound would heal more effectively. Rest is as much as needed if the blood doesn’t clot fast. Moreover, don’t use the arm more often and apply pressure once again if bleeding occurs. Finally, raise your arm over your head for five minutes and remove the bandage if the wound already closes.

Wash it gently using water and soap. Do this more often for the wound to heal.

 

#2. Fatigue

Because a significant amount of blood is taken out from your body, you might feel tired, which is a normal reaction. Get rested if you feel tired. Then, wait until you feel better. Drink lots of water. Restore the levels of your vitamins & minerals. It helps reduce fatigue levels.

 

#3. Soreness and bruising

Bruises are often experienced around the site where the needle is inserted. This one occurs as the tissue under the skin bleeds slightly. If it causes discomfort, it will help to do cold compression. Take some OTC pain medicines like Tylenol. Anyone interested in donating should not take aspirin for two days. That is before the blood donation.

 

The Right Time To Consult A Doctor

Now that you know the adverse effects of blood donation on your body, you’d want to make yourself when to seek professional help. It’s unlikely that the effects will worsen because volunteers undergo a thorough assessment before blood is taken out from them. However, visit a doctor if you experience severe or persistent effects. These can include the following:

  • Difficult to control bleeding
  • Fatigue or lightheadedness
  • Tingling, pain, and numbness
  • Bacterial infection like swelling or fever

 

Summary

Now you have learned “After blood donation what to eat?” which includes foods enriched in iron, vitamin C, and B-vitamins. Adding liquids and sports drinks also is beneficial. Avoiding cardio exercises and other strenuous activities is even more, ok. So, follow this guide as it’s effective in keeping your body restored and rehydrated again! On the other hand, you might also want to read about what to eat before blood donation to prepare your body for the procedure.

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