Blood donation is a noble act. It saves lives and has manageable side effects including feeling weak, dizziness and iron-deficiency anaemia.
Here is what you need to do before and after donating blood.
Before
As you prepare to save a life, make sure you eat foods rich in iron. This is vital because the process depletes iron in your body and if done regularly it can cause the development of anaemia. Iron is required for the development of haemoglobin and new blood cells.
Some of the meals you are advised to consume are organ meat like liver, chicken, dark green vegetables, eggs, turkey, beans and lentils among others. You should also drink a lot of water and eat enough water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin B12, folic acid and Vitamin B6. It is also wise to avoid iron-blocking meals like foods rich in calcium, red wine, tea, coffee and chocolate.
After
After giving your blood to a deserving patient, you should take care of your body. Drink water immediately to remain hydrated. You should increase your intake of Vitamin B9, folic acid and Vitamin B2.
Dark green vegetables, avocado, lentils, nuts, poultry products, organ meat and whole-grain cereals are a good choice.