Re: Question on Blood Donations

[Guest guest]

I don't donate blood b/c my veins collapse and it grosses me out sad to say.

I guess yes, the best would be to bring your own piece of fruit or maybe a sweet

veggie

drink? I'll bet you'll have more answers better than mine.

>

> What is the macriobiotic view of blood donations? The reason for my

> asking is awhile back I mentioned a blood test revealed that I had

> elevated iron levels (which is odd because most of my life I was

> anemic to the point as a teen I required multiple b-12 shots weekly);

> Simon put a name to this condition (thank you) and I was able to

> research it. A simply remedy is blood donation (which I never did

> before). Well, I did yesterday with a minor set back (I almost passed

> out); But after the donation, the volunteers bombard me with donuts,

> cookies, sugar laden drinks. They would not let me go unless I had

> some horrible orange juice. (I am spoiled I juice my own when I want

> it); If you have given blood, what do eat and drink? If I need to do

> this often, I was thinking of bringing my own water (I felt very

> dehydrated) and a piece of in season fruit. What would make a good

> meal for dinner to replenish? I really felt a bit weak afterward.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Sorry to hear about your minor problem with blood donation. I started donating blood in college & didn't have any trouble, except for the shock of seeing a 250# guy faint! For years, we received cheese, apple slices, & an oatmeal cookie to re-coup our "energy".

When I began having health problems, my blood clotted too quickly, so they politely asked me not to donate any longer. (wasted their time & resources) Your post has reminded me of that beautiful feeling that comes from helping others who you'll never meet. The people in this group are always wondering how to share our ideas with others, perhaps a step in that direction could be to donate clean, healthy blood, free of toxins & meat? As soon as my schedule clears up, I'll see if they'll consider my donation...

Hmmm, what would be a good meal for you? Many times, people feel weak or faint after donating blood because of the lack of blood volume, so I suppose that a nice pureed soup, would provide liquid. A stir-fry gives up-lifting energy. And maybe a cup of warm carrot juice would help the blood sugar. This simple meal would boost the blood volume. Maybe season the soup with miso.

And definitely take your own water, fruit, or juice to the donation center. Because of health & sanitation regulations, you might want to verify that "outside" food can be taken into the center. If they ask "why", very politely say that you have food sensitivities. That's hard for them to argue with, and they won't get defensive of the sugar. If they insist that food can not be brought in, find a local church that has a blood drive. Churches don't have as many regulations as Red Cross Centers. However, in my experience, the best "stickers" are usually at the Center, not at blood drive locations.

You might also want to drink some water/apple juice/carrot juice prior to the donation. One last caution - sometimes, a person feels faint, because they get up too quickly after donating. Don't let the nurse rush you.

Every time that I donated blood, the experience was easier. Wishing the same for you!

Dottie

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Sorry to hear about your minor problem with blood donation. I started donating blood in college & didn't have any trouble, except for the shock of seeing a 250# guy faint! For years, we received cheese, apple slices, & an oatmeal cookie to re-coup our "energy".

When I began having health problems, my blood clotted too quickly, so they politely asked me not to donate any longer. (wasted their time & resources) Your post has reminded me of that beautiful feeling that comes from helping others who you'll never meet. The people in this group are always wondering how to share our ideas with others, perhaps a step in that direction could be to donate clean, healthy blood, free of toxins & meat? As soon as my schedule clears up, I'll see if they'll consider my donation...

Hmmm, what would be a good meal for you? Many times, people feel weak or faint after donating blood because of the lack of blood volume, so I suppose that a nice pureed soup, would provide liquid. A stir-fry gives up-lifting energy. And maybe a cup of warm carrot juice would help the blood sugar. This simple meal would boost the blood volume. Maybe season the soup with miso.

And definitely take your own water, fruit, or juice to the donation center. Because of health & sanitation regulations, you might want to verify that "outside" food can be taken into the center. If they ask "why", very politely say that you have food sensitivities. That's hard for them to argue with, and they won't get defensive of the sugar. If they insist that food can not be brought in, find a local church that has a blood drive. Churches don't have as many regulations as Red Cross Centers. However, in my experience, the best "stickers" are usually at the Center, not at blood drive locations.

You might also want to drink some water/apple juice/carrot juice prior to the donation. One last caution - sometimes, a person feels faint, because they get up too quickly after donating. Don't let the nurse rush you.

Every time that I donated blood, the experience was easier. Wishing the same for you!

Dottie

[Guest guest]

I actually just found the recipe for the sweet veggie drink this

weekend in one of macro books I have been reading. Great suggestion.

> >

> > What is the macriobiotic view of blood donations? The reason

for my

> > asking is awhile back I mentioned a blood test revealed that I

had

> > elevated iron levels (which is odd because most of my life I was

> > anemic to the point as a teen I required multiple b-12 shots

weekly);

> > Simon put a name to this condition (thank you) and I was able to

> > research it. A simply remedy is blood donation (which I never

did

> > before). Well, I did yesterday with a minor set back (I almost

passed

> > out); But after the donation, the volunteers bombard me with

donuts,

> > cookies, sugar laden drinks. They would not let me go unless I

had

> > some horrible orange juice. (I am spoiled I juice my own when I

want

> > it); If you have given blood, what do eat and drink? If I need

to do

> > this often, I was thinking of bringing my own water (I felt very

> > dehydrated) and a piece of in season fruit. What would make a

good

> > meal for dinner to replenish? I really felt a bit weak

afterward.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The sweet veggie drink is nice. You might want to make sure that you can take a thermos into the blood center with you. Some places will not allow un-sealed containers of beverages or food, because of germs.

The sweet kuzu drink is a favorite of mine. And it takes less time to prepare than the sweet veggie drink. Either drink can be kept warm in a thermos. I just thought about amasake. A diluted drink of it might be nice too.

Good luck.

Dottie

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The sweet veggie drink is nice. You might want to make sure that you can take a thermos into the blood center with you. Some places will not allow un-sealed containers of beverages or food, because of germs.

The sweet kuzu drink is a favorite of mine. And it takes less time to prepare than the sweet veggie drink. Either drink can be kept warm in a thermos. I just thought about amasake. A diluted drink of it might be nice too.

Good luck.

Dottie

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I do not think bringing something in will be a problem. The donation center is at my employment. Next time around, I will definitely think this through.

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I do not think bringing something in will be a problem. The donation center is at my employment. Next time around, I will definitely think this through.

Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!