Beef & poultry Seafood Leafy greens Nuts and Beans
Cheese with fresh fruit Whole wheat bread with avocado Pita chips and hummus
Fruit juice Vegetable juice Seltzer water Non-caffeinated energy drinks Herbal tea
You’re safe to drink alcohol after the waiting-day period if you aren’t feeling nauseated, dizzy, or lightheaded.
Oysters Clams Mussels Tuna Salmon Red meat Turkey Chicken liver
Beans like lima beans, navy beans, and kidney beans Nuts and legumes like almonds, cashews, walnuts, lentils, and tofu Vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, greens, and potatoes Fruits like dried apricots and prunes, raisins, dates, watermelon, cantaloupe, and bananas
Juice Cookies Granola bars Fresh fruit
Dried fruit Roasted nuts Fresh veggies with dip Slices of fresh fruit
Whole-grain bread and sourdough bread are also excellent sources of iron.
Citrus like oranges, grapefruit, clementines, and orange juice Red and green peppers Tomatoes and tomato juice Kiwi Broccoli and brussels sprouts Strawberries
Vitamin B2 is also called riboflavin, which helps convert carbohydrates into energy to spur on red blood cell production and reduce fatigue. [13] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Vitamin B9 is also called folic acid, which helps red blood cells form. To give your system a boost of folic acid, iron, and riboflavin, prepare a dish with chicken or beef liver with a side salad and whole grain bread for dinner the same day as you donated. [14] X Research source
Avoid drinking milk right after you donate, since calcium slows down your body’s iron absorption. Carry around a bottle of water the rest of the day, so you remember to keep drinking fluids. It’s fine to drink sports drinks that contain electrolytes, but avoid energy drinks, which are high in sugar and caffeine.
Pay attention to how you feel following your donation. If you start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or weak, it’s a sign you need to slow down and rest more.
If you can’t bear the thought of drinking decaf coffee, go for half-caffeinated so you’re at least cutting back on your caffeine intake following the donation.
It can be a little chilly at some donation centers or blood drives, so consider bringing a light blanket if you get cold easily.
The bruising will go away on its own within a few days.
If you continue to feel dizzy or lightheaded, contact the blood drive, donation center, or your doctor.
