What to Eat Before Donating Plasma
Importance of Proper Nutrition
Proper nutrition is key to a successful plasma donation. Eating the right foods can help you feel your best and ensure that your donation goes smoothly, helping to reduce your likelihood of being deferred.
Hydration is Key
First and foremost, stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water before your donation. Aim for at least 6-8 glasses of water the day before and the day of your donation. Hydration helps maintain your blood volume and can make the donation process easier. Some donors have told us that when they focus on hydrating, they experience a faster donation. While this experience might not be true for all donors, it's worth trying!
What to Eat
Focus on eating a balanced meal rich in iron and protein. Good options include lean meats, fish, beans, nuts, and leafy green vegetables. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are also great choices to keep your energy levels up.
To avoid lipemic plasma (plasma with a high fat content), stay away from high fat foods such as ham, sausage, bacon, whole milk, butter, and cream. Also, avoid fast foods such as pizza, hamburgers, French fries, and other fried foods.
Explore more tips about how to prepare to donate plasma.
Foods to Avoid
It's hard, but you should skip your extra mocha double shot triple cream latte before your donation. Alcohol should also be avoided for at least 24 hours before donating, so it is probably a good idea to skip the mimosa at brunch with your friends. Don’t call us the fun police, we love a good time, but caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate you . Plus, consuming these drinks prior to donating could impact your eligibility that day, which would be a bummer. Another great resource with examples of foods to avoid can be found here (it doesn’t have to be the holidays for you to be mindful of what you are eating)!
Timing Your Meal
Try to eat a healthy meal within four hours before your donation. This gives your body time to digest and ensures that you have the energy you need for the process.
Final Tips
Here are a few final tips: Get 6-8 hours of sleep the night before, drink 6-8 glasses of water, eat a well-balanced, non-fatty meal, wear comfortable clothing, and bring a snack for after your donation to help replenish your energy.
Donate at CSL Plasma
Thanks for educating yourself before donating plasma! By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared for your plasma donation. Ready to start donating? Find a donation center near you and together, we can #DoTheAmazing!
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