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How to Prepare for a Blood Donation

blood donation iron

As I’ve talked about before, donating blood can benefit most people’s health.
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Many of you have asked for tips on how to prepare for a blood donation.
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I must stress, it takes some real FOUNDATION work for most people to really be ready to donate blood. I usually work with my clients for 6-8 months before they're truly ready.
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When you are ready, however, here are a few things you can do:
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〰️Prioritize copper and retinol-rich foods a week leading up to the donation. See my prior posts about this.
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〰️Eat a balanced meal with protein carb and fat 30 min - 1 hour beforehand. Donating a pint of blood is the equivalent of burning 600 calories.
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〰️Make sure you’ve hydrated properly throughout the day, but don’t overhydrate. While donating blood depletes us of electrolytes, so can overhydration.
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〰️Get warm. Go for a walk prior to donation. If it’s cold outside, make sure you’ve layered up. Rub your hands together. This can help blood flow to your fingertips, which will be the main site to determine whether you’re eligible to donate.
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〰️Make sure you’re not stressed. Donating blood can be scary or even exciting for some. Either feelings will put you in ‘fight or flight’ mode, which will draw blood away from your fingertips and may potentially affect your eligibility.
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〰️Not hitting the mark on hemoglobin? Ask them to try a finger on the other hand. Levels can vary throughout the body.
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〰️Bring snacks for during and after. I personally sip on coconut water or juice throughout my donation. Balanced snacks with protein, carb and fat will also help minimize any blood sugar drops that may occur during and after donation.
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Does donating make you feel not-so ‘hot’? More to come on why soon.
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Not medical advice.

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.