If you are planning for blood donation or you have donated blood then you should nourish your body with little care. Before and after donating blood it is required to eat some healthy foods.
Here are some must-eat food items you should before planning for blood donation
- Start eating Iron rich foods line whole grains, spinach, rice flakes, watermelon are some of the foods that are rich in iron.
- Always eat vitamin C rich foods along with iron rich foods like citrus fruits and juices to increase levels of vitamin C. As vitamin C helps in absorption of iron
- Drink plenty of water and fruit juices in the night and morning before you donate blood. Do not drink carbonated drinks and alcoholic drinks.
Don’t consume fatty foods 24 hours before you go for blood donation as these can affect blood tests. Due to excess fat in blood, it can’t be tested for infectious diseases and so the blood will not be used for transfusion.
Here are the things you must do after donating blood
- After donating blood continue to have liquids to prevent low blood pressure.
- Our body uses B-9 also known as folate, folic acid, to manufacture new red blood cells. This helps to replace the ones that you lost during donation. Food rich in folic acid include liver, dried beans, spinach and many more.
- Foods rich in Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin): Riboflavin or vitamin B-2 is another vitamin required to produce red blood cells. It helps your body turn carbohydrates into energy for the body, which will help to strengthen you. Again, consume green leafy vegetables, eggs, peas, nuts and dairy products.
- Foods rich in Vitamin B-6: Your body needs it to build healthy blood cells and it helps the body break down proteins. Because proteins contain several nutrients, eating vitamin B-6 foods can be helpful. Potatoes, bananas, seeds, nuts, red meat, fish, eggs and spinach are rich in this vitamin.