Article by Nutrition Experts at My Nutritional Needs
“A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.”
– Hippocrates
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Blood donation indeed is a noble cause. One single donation can be split into three separate parts, Help, Save or Improve the lives of patients.
Blood donation indeed is a noble cause. (Image curtsy: American Red Cross)
Few Benefits can be listed as:
- Free health screening; Every time you give blood, a medical technician, doctor or nurse will check your blood pressure, haemoglobin and free health screening.
- Giving feels great. Blood donation gives the wonderful feeling of savings someone’s life.
- After donating blood, the count of blood cells decreases in our body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new blood cells in order to replenish the loss. So, it stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system.
Haemoglobin values before blood donation:
It needs to be 12.5 mg/dl for females and 13.5 mg/dl in males prior donation.
Tips of donation:
BEFORE DONATION
- Maintain a healthy diet with good haemoglobin in your body.
- Good sleep
- Extra water intake of extra 500 ml water or liquids ( non-alchoholic/Decaffeinated) before donation
- Avoid fatty meal like fried, sweets or ice-cream during the donation.
DURING DONATION:
- Relax , and have a positive attiude.
AFTER DONATION:
- Take time to enjoy a snack and drink in the refreshments area immediately after donating.
- Drink extra 250-300 ml of water / liquids ( non-alcoholic/Decaffeinated drinks) over next 24 hours.
- Do not do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.
Have good healthy diet to maintaining your haemoglobin which will help your to donate blood regularly
Iron Rich Diet
Food Groups |
Rich sources |
Cereals |
Bajra, Rice bran, Rice flakes, Puffed rice |
Pulses |
Chana, Chawli, Kuleeth (Horse gram), Masoor, Matki, Rajma, Soyabean. |
LeafyVegetables |
Amaranth, Betel leaf, Bengal gram leaves (Harbara Leaves), Cauliflower Leaves, Cow pea (chawli) Leaves, Pudina, Mustard leaves, Radish leaves, Shepu |
Fruits |
Beet –root, Water- melon, Pomegranate |
Nuts & Oilseeds |
Almonds, Garden-cress seeds, Till, Black currants |
Non- vegetarian |
Liver, Lean red meats, Sea foods (oysters, tuna, shrimp etc), Egg yolk |
Others |
Lotus Stem, Tofu (Soya paneer) |
- For better Absorption of Iron, All foods rich in iron should be consumed either by squeezing a lime on top or have it with any fresh fruit juice (orange/mosambi).
- Eat food high in haem iron (animal sources)
- Eat food high in non-heam iron (plant sources) and combine with haem iron for overall absorption
Sample menu:
For better Absorption of Iron, all foods rich in iron should be consumed either by squeezing a lime on top or have it with any fresh fruit juice
Breakfast: Whole grain cereals (Idli/ Poha / Paratha / Bread Omlette etc) + Citrus juice / fruit- piece of lime or orange juice etc.
Lunch: Salad/ soup with fresh lime sprinkles.
Chapati + greens
Combination of dals / meat with vegetables.
Tomato / lime piece with meals.
Dinner: Same as Lunch.
