To donate blood you need to be fasting?

No . In fact, it is important to remember that one should not be fasting for donation. The donor must be well fed and rested, precisely so that he does not feel ill during or after the procedure.

If the donation is after lunch, it is also necessary to wait 2 hours to make it. And do not worry about hunger, because at the end of the whole procedure, a snack is served to replenish your energies and avoid falling pressure or dizziness.

But it is important to take some precautions. Although the meal can be, in general, normal, some foods should be avoided, such as fatty and dairy products.

Being well fed does not mean eating too much. So it is best to avoid making a donation after having a feijoada lunch or a barbecue.

Drinking fluids such as juices and water is also important, so that you are well hydrated.

Contents

What to eat before donating blood?

Before donating blood, the ideal is to consume foods rich in iron, such as meat, eggs, beans , lentils and cereals. These foods help maintain an adequate level of hemoglobin in the blood, which are substances present in red blood cells.

Also important is the consumption of vitamin C, which facilitates the absorption of nutrients such as iron.

There may still be some doubt about what to eat before donating blood . Even at different times of the day, check below.

 

Morning

If the donation is in the morning, you should have breakfast as usual. Consuming, for example:

  • Café;
  • Tea;
  • Breads;
  • Skimmed or soy milk;
  • Juices;
  • Fruit.

Foods such as butter and fried snacks should be avoided for breakfast because they contain large amounts of fats.

In the case of fruits, although it is not a food group that is restricted before donation, some fruits such as avocado and jackfruit are not so recommended.

This is because, according to Hemobanco, the reason to avoid these foods before donation is due to the presence of fats in the blood collected a few hours after eating them.

However, the most important thing is to pay attention to the amount eaten of these fruits, and not necessarily not to eat them before the donation, completes the institution.

Late

For those who are going to donate blood in the afternoon, lunch should also be practically normal, considering the main foods in this meal, such as:

  • Rice;
  • Bean;
  • Salads;
  • Meat (grilled).

As we said earlier, for those who will donate blood in the afternoon, it is important to wait 2 hours after lunch, in addition to also avoiding foods such as fried foods, pasta, mayonnaise, ice cream, etc.

Can you eat cheese before you donate blood?

The ideal is to avoid any food that contains fats in its composition, for example cheese, butter and yogurt. Even for breakfast, you should also avoid whole milk, preferring skim or soy products.

For this reason, the guideline is that the cheese should not be consumed hours before by the donor.

What can’t you do before you donate blood?

A number of criteria must be met before blood donation. But in relation to food, it is important to analyze the menu.

One should avoid, for example, very fatty foods, such as snacks, ice cream, chocolates, etc. That’s because they can interfere with momentary cholesterol or blood glucose rates. This leaves the blood unfit for donation.

Therefore, in relation to food, avoid:

  • Fasting;
  • Consume fatty foods, such as fried foods;
  • Eat heavy or difficult to digest meals;
  • Eating industrialized products, such as snacks;
  • Eat foods high in cholesterol, such as eggs;
  • Consume alcoholic beverages less than 12 hours before donation.

Remembering that these are temporary impediments, that is, that you should not do hours before a blood donation.

To check which are the definitive impediments and all the criteria, see about the requirements, how and who can donate blood .


When it comes to donating blood, it is common for many doubts to arise. But the habit of researching, reading and understanding how blood donation should also become common.

So, in addition to being well informed, you are also saving lives.

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