What should you eat before donating blood?
Eat a healthy, iron-rich meal and drink plenty of water. Avoid greasy or fatty foods right before you give.
Eating well before you donate helps the draw go smoothly and helps you feel better afterward.
Good choices
- Iron-rich foods such as lean red meat, chicken, fish, beans, spinach and iron-fortified cereals
- Vitamin C foods like oranges, strawberries and tomatoes, which help your body absorb iron
- Pasta, rice, bread and potatoes for steady energy
- Fruit, juice, water and low-fat snacks
What to limit before you donate
- Fried and fatty foods such as burgers, fries, bacon or ice cream. A very fatty meal can make your plasma look cloudy (lipemic), which can interfere with required tests
- Alcohol
Do not skip the meal
Giving blood on an empty stomach raises the chance of lightheadedness or fainting. Eat a solid meal within a few hours before your appointment.
Hydrate
Drink extra water the day before and the day of your donation. A common recommendation is an extra 16 ounces (about 500 mL) of water before you donate. Being well hydrated makes the veins easier to find and lowers your risk of feeling dizzy.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a health professional. Your eligibility is always decided at the donor screening on the day of donation. Rules change, so confirm with the American Red Cross or the blood center where you plan to donate.