After donating plasma, it’s important to replenish your body with the right nutrients to help you recover. Aside from rest and staying hydrated, what you eat for the next few days can affect your recovery.
As a result, many potential donors may wonder what to eat after donating plasma. Here are our recommendations for the best food to eat to support your recovery and well-being.
What To Eat After Donating Plasma
After your donation, you will be advised to rest before leaving the plasma donation center. The best foods to eat after plasma donation are those rich in the following nutrients:
Protein
Protein-rich foods are filled with amino acids and nutrients necessary for replenishing lost nutrients, cell repair, and regeneration. Additionally, it can help stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing fatigue and dizziness symptoms. These foods can support a faster recovery:
- Lean meats, such as lean beef and pork tenderloin
- Chicken and turkey
- Fish
- Eggs
- Beans and lentils
- Tofu
- Greek yogurt
Iron
Plasma donation can temporarily lower iron levels in your body. Iron-rich foods can improve your body’s recovery and speed up replenishing your iron. This can help produce red blood cells essential for transporting oxygen around the body. Examples of iron-rich foods include:
- Liver
- Red meat
- Tofu
- Beans
- Nuts
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Spinach
Juice
While water is a good option for hydrating and replenishing lost fluids, healthy juices are another good option. Many juices offer additional vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes besides fluids. By staying hydrated, you can avoid the symptoms of dehydration, such as fatigue. We recommend getting fresh and natural juices from these sources:
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Watermelon juice
- Cucumber juice
- Coconut water
Electrolytes
Electrolytes replenish lost minerals that help with hydration and muscle function. During plasma donation, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride are lost along with plasma fluids. Replacing these electrolytes as soon as possible allows your body to maintain proper fluid balance, prevent dehydration, and support muscle recovery.
Some foods and drinks rich in electrolytes include:
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Leafy green vegetables
- Coconut water
- Nuts
- Yogurt
Foods To Eat Before Plasma Donation
While the food you eat after plasma donation helps you recover, the food you eat before your donation can assist with minimizing the risk of adverse effects of plasma extraction. To ensure you get a smooth and comfortable donation process, it’s important to know how to prepare for your plasma donation appointment – including the food you should eat. We recommend eating a hearty meal before arriving at the plasma donation center for your appointment.
Here are some recommendations for food to eat on the morning of your donation.
Water and Fluids
Being well-hydrated before your donation can help you:
- Replenish lost fluids faster
- Prevent post-donation symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and muscle cramps, which are all associated with dehydration
- Improve blood flow, which can speed up the procedure
While there are no hard guidelines on how much fluids to consume, a good rule of thumb is to drink two extra glasses of water three hours before your scheduled plasma extraction. Aside from water, you can also drink:
- Fruit-infused water
- Fresh fruit juice
- Non-caffeinated beverages
Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee, soda, and other caffeinated beverages at least 24 hours before your appointment. These beverages can affect your blood pressure and may cause discomfort during the extraction.
Iron-Rich Food
Eating iron-rich food before your plasma donation ensures optimal iron stores during extraction, which can replenish the lost iron immediately after extraction. Eating enough iron before or after your procedure can reduce the risk of low iron level symptoms post-donation.
Food Rich in Vitamin C
Eating foods rich in vitamin C before plasma donation can enhance iron absorption, supporting overall iron levels. Vitamin C facilitates the conversion of non-heme iron found in plant-based foods and supplements into a form easier for the body to absorb. Combined with iron-rich food, these vitamin-C-rich foods can replenish a patient’s nutritional composition after the procedure. Some examples include:
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Kiwi
- Guava
- Papaya
- Bell peppers
- Cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc.)
Make a Difference and Donate Plasma at ABO Plasma
By knowing what to eat after donating plasma, you can replenish lost fluids, support your body’s recovery process, and minimize the symptoms of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
It’s important to prepare your body before and after your plasma donation procedure to ensure your procedure is as comfortable as possible and provides quality plasma.
At ABO Plasma, your health is our priority, and we want to encourage our donors to take the necessary steps for a smooth experience.
ABO Plasma encourages first time qualified individuals to schedule a plasma donation appointment at their earliest convenience. We compensate our donors for their time and efforts, and you can gain the satisfaction of helping patients with medical treatments, research, and other worthwhile purposes with your donated plasma.