What to Eat After Donating Blood
A meal plan member emailed:
"Do you have any advice for what to eat after donating blood? Every other time I've donated I was given V8 juice and a sugar cookie. I've been following the meal plans strictly for the last couple of weeks. Is this one time that it's okay to cheat or is there a plant-based alternative?"
I definitely wouldn't drink V8 or eat a cookie after giving blood--yikes! The Red Cross should be ashamed if that's what they're giving out!!! (but WTG for donating!)
The best thing would be to eat iron-rich foods like spinach, raisins (easily portable in your purse), or beans, and some fresh fruit, especially oranges, which can help boost iron absorption. (Though avoid orange juice if you can. The whole fruit is far superior). Bananas are great too!
Drink extra water and avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours. Also be sure to include a wide range of greens that day. Some people find nuts or peanut butter helpful after donating as well.
Hope that helps!