• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • General Health
  • Health Conditions
  • Nutrition & Diet
  • Predicaments & Emergencies
  • Fitness & Exercise
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

Healthy Living Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

Home » Health & Beauty » Giving Blood For The First Time? 5 Things You Should Do Before Donating Blood

Giving Blood For The First Time? 5 Things You Should Do Before Donating Blood

Pin
Share
Tweet

Some articles on this site contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to yourself.


Are you nervous about donating blood?

If you’ve had a negative reaction in the past – such as bruising, feeling weak, or even blacking out – it’s not surprising that you’d be wary of donating blood again.

Following are 5 simple things you can do to avoid negative side effects when giving blood.

donating blood

Did you know?… 1 blood donation can save as many as 3 lives!

 

#1 – Catch Up On Your “Zzz”s

If you’re short on sleep, donating blood can make you feel like a ton of bricks has landed on you.

So hit the sack early and get a full night’s rest.

Sleep

If you’re donating in the afternoon, indulge in a power nap about an hour before heading to the blood donation site, if possible.

 

#2 – Take Time For Breakfast

A full belly helps prevent feeling light-headed during and after giving blood.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast. Skip the fried sausages, though: too much fat in your bloodstream can interfere with the tests that are conducted on your donated blood.

Opt for a low-fat but yummy meal — like eggs benedict or savory wholewheat crepes.

 

#3 – Guzzle Plenty Of Fluids

Nobody likes having a needle sticking out of their vein any longer than usual, but dehydrated donors can take 3 times as long to finish giving blood.

That’s because having enough fluids in your system make it easier to find the vein and to draw blood. Drink lots of water and juice for a couple of days before you donate your blood.

drinking water

TIP: Take a break from coffee and tea. Caffeine is a diuretic and will cause all that water you’ve been sipping to pass through you too quickly.

 

#4 – Eat Like Popeye

Iron-rich foods such as dark leafy spinach will increase your iron levels.

This is important because if your blood is low in iron, you may not be allowed to donate blood. You’ll need to have a hemoglobin count of over 12.4 grams per deciliter.

iron rich foods

In addition to leafy greens, iron-rich foods include lean beef, fish, raisins, dates, prunes, eggs, and fortified cereals.

If your count usually runs low you can take some iron supplements a few days before you go as well.

 

#5 – Take It Easy

Follow up your donation with a high-protein meal — such as a chicken sandwich or a bowl of lentil soup.

Also, drink lots of water to replace the fluids you’ve lost. And get lots of rest.

Once you give blood with no adverse reactions, you’ll be more likely to do it again — especially when you realize that your blood has the potential to save 3 people’s lives!

Just follow the precautions above to ensure that your experience is painless and easy.

 

More Great Tips Before Giving Blood

  • What To Expect When Donating Blood The First Time
  • How Nurses Find A Vein When You’re Giving Blood
  • There Are Different Methods Of Donating Blood
  • How To Find A Location For Giving Blood
  • Health Benefits From Donating Blood
Lynnette
Lynnette

Professionally, I pursued my Masters Degree in Family Therapy at Texas Tech — where I obtained invaluable expertise and experience helping people with a wide variety of physical and emotional health issues. Personally, I think it's useful when people realize that they're not the only one going through a difficult time. So any time that I think my personal health experiences would be helpful to someone else going through the same thing, I will share my story here. With health issues that I've personally experienced (like Endometriosis, Lyme Disease, Hysterectomy, Skin Cancer, Ganglion Cysts, Autism, and other topics that very few people enjoy talking about) and health products that I've found beneficial (like sleep aids, essential oils, and medications)… I do my best to provide my own raw and honest firsthand experiences that I think others would appreciate hearing about and (hopefully) find helpful. I'm grateful that I have a number of friends who have also been willing to share their very personal stories here — regarding their own physical and emotional health. When I'm not writing about health topics, you will find me sharing Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

franklin.thefuntimesguide.com/the_face_behind_the_blog/
Pin
Share
Tweet

Filed Under: Health & Beauty, Predicaments & Emergencies Tagged With: Doctors And Hospitals, Videos, Vitamins And Supplements

Primary Sidebar

About Us

LynnetteProfessionally, I pursued my Masters Degree in Family Therapy at Texas Tech -- where I obtained invaluable expertise and experience helping people with a wide variety of physical and emotional health issues. Personally, I think it's useful when people realize that they're not the only one going through a difficult time. So any time that I think my personal health experiences would be helpful to someone else going through the same thing, I will share my story here. With health issues that I've personally experienced (like Endometriosis, Lyme Disease, Hysterectomy, Skin Cancer, Ganglion Cysts, Autism, and other topics that very few people enjoy talking about) and health products that I've found beneficial (like sleep aids, essential oils, and medications)... I do my best to provide my own raw and honest firsthand experiences that I think others would appreciate hearing about and (hopefully) find helpful. I'm grateful that I have a number of friends who have also been willing to share their very personal stories here -- regarding their own physical and emotional health. When I'm not writing about health topics, you will find me sharing Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

JoshuaI want everyone to live their best life... for as long as possible. So I often write about the health screenings that we all should be getting -- to help catch potential health issues early. (Yes, I get my screenings too.) I also share my knowledge and experience with specific health problems that I am personally familiar with.

Joshua: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

Allergies Anxiety and Stress Arthritis Back Pain Blood Pressure Blood Sugar Bug Bites Cancer Carpal Tunnel Chiropractors Cold And Flu Death And Dying Diabetes Dieting Doctors And Hospitals Energy Level Exercises Germs And Bacteria Headaches Health Humor Health Scares healthy foods Heart Issues Holidays And Parties Home Remedies Honey Kids Low-Carb Low-Fat Medications Meditation Neck Pain Scans And Screenings Skin Care Sleep Issues Sneezing Stomach And Digestion Surgery Travel Tips Tumors Videos Vitamins And Supplements Walking Water Yoga

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap