I gave blood today and of course allowed myself some treats that I wouldn't normally eat (nutter butter cookies and oreos to be exact). I read somewhere that you burn 600 calories (?) when giving blood, but couldn't find any info about how many extra calories to take in on a giving blood day. Is it 600? I'm confused. I'm way over on my cals today and still feeling a little shaky. Can anyone help?

I give blood every second month and don't ever make up the calories that I have lost, plus I don't even notice the loss... I've also never heard of making up for the loss of calories. The treats at the eand are to bring your blood sugars back up OR they're just being nice and thanking me for giving blood Kidding! I never have those treats anyways I just drink water or a coffee without sugar and go home.... I've tried to leave right away but they wouldn't let me, I stay a max of 5 mins or less...

The last time I gave blood I stuck to my food plan and almost passed out the following morning doing floor aerobics. I won't be making that mistake again! Feeling shaky is NOT a good thing! And if you're going to be active, you need to keep your body fueled to further your fitness goals.

I donate blood to honor the memory of my father who died of leukemia. Generous donors like you gave us nine months of life with him we wouldn't have had otherwise. Please keep yourself healthy and strong so you can keep up the great work.

Don't work out within 24 hours afterward, and eat a little something afterward to bring your blood sugar up (I always bring some whole wheat pretzels). Otherwise, stick to normal.

You don't quite "burn" 600 calories in giving blood - 600 calories of "stuff" are removed from you. But your body recovers that stuff (blood cells, plasma, etc) over time, so you don't need the calories immediately.

Thank you for your insights! I'm feeling much better today. I've never had that problem when I've donated before, but I was also not dieting in the past when I've done it. I think maybe my blood sugar was already a little low before I donated. I'd had an unusually low cal day the day before, with little protein, low calories early yesterday and had just finished quite a workout before I went. I also remember when I had my glucose test during pregnancy I was told I was a little on the hypoglycemic side. It's just a guess, but at any rate I'll certainly plan better in the future and try to avoid feeling like that again!

3beans - I'm so sorry about your Dad, but glad that you were able to have a little more time with him than you might have otherwise had... I can remember my Mom donating often when I was young and always thought it was such a simple and wonderful thing to do. Its something I will do as long as I am able and I hope to pass on the habit to my daughter as well. ...and to age me, I looked at my donor record online today and my first donation was in 1989! Whoa!

The one thng I do do after a donation is drink lots of water ... and they always tell me do hydrate after a donation...I do still workout the next morning but I always have a good breakfast before hand ...

Thank you so much. That's a wonderful habit!