| DAY OF DONATION
Drink extra water and fluids before you donate to replace the volume
of blood you will donate and to prevent low blood pressure. You should
continue drinking extra fluids after donation, too. Coffee and tea
don’t count, because the caffeine causes your body to lose more fluid
than the drinks provide.
Eat foods containing protein or complex carbohydrates, such as
bread, cereal, fruit or lean meat. You will feel more comfortable
during and after donating. Before you donate, a small meal or snack
will do.
But avoid eating fatty foods, such as hamburgers, french fries, ice
cream or cheese before donating.
As part of our vigorous safety screening, after you donate, your
blood will be tested for infections to make certain it is safe for
transfusion. These tests can be affected by fatty materials lipids
that appear in your blood for several hours after eating fatty foods.
When this occurs, testing cannot be performed, and we may not be able
to use your blood. |
BETWEEN DONATIONS
Give your body plenty of iron. When you donate whole blood or packed
red cells, you lose the iron contained in red blood cells. Eat plenty
of iron-rich food to replace these cells between donations.
Iron comes from the food in your diet. Foods rich in iron include
red meat, fish, poultry, broccoli, beans, raisins and prunes. Many
cereals are fortified with iron, and iron is often included in
multiple vitamin preparations. Eating foods rich in vitamin C (citrus
fruit) helps your body absorb the iron you eat.
By following these suggestions, you will help make your donation as
safe and successful as possible for patients who count on your blood.
On behalf of the patients whose lives you will save, thank you for
your interest in donating blood to the American Red Cross. Your gift
really does help others to live.
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