Donating Blood

I donated blood today, and as usual they told me to stop by the refreshment table after I was finished. I did, but all they had were donuts, frosted cookies, and juice that had a full day's serving of sugar per cup.

I opted to wait and eat something healthy later, but now I'm curious. I understand that the point of eating & drinking is to help replenish your energy level, but is the sugar really necessary? I haven't had any sugar, but I still feel fine.

Sugar is the fastest the way to increase blood glucose levels,  the traditional remedy for shock or light-headedness is 'hot sweet tea' and if you're admitted to hospital with certain conditions you're likely to be put on a glucose drip.....   Sugar has a legitimate place in a healthy diet.... don't write it off as a bad thing to eat.

This used to trip me out too when I donated blood, but the thing is, think of it this way: You just had a good pint of blood sucked out of your veins, if THAT didn't kill you that little carton of raisins or little box of sugary juice won't either.
OR if you're really not cool with that, bring your own food when you go out to donate blood. The people there don't really seem to mind so long as you're giving blood. I typically pack things like fruit, that way you get your blood sugar up without increasing refined sugar intake. Also pack some form of carb like crackers or something, that will help a lot.

 Congrats on donating!

I donate blood aout 4 times per year (I'm in the life-saver's club ... with my blood type they call me to donate frequently).  I look at those days as "free" days... eat a large meal before donating (to prevent reactions) and munch out on the sugar cookies afterwards..I tell them, "I'm only here for the cookies"...Anyway the main thing for me is to keep it in perspective.  I have successfully lost 75 pounds and am maintaining well, so a free day every 2 or 3 months hasn't thrown me off course.

I agree with what's said, generally. Either treat it like a free day, or take your own healthier sugary snacks - bananas are a brilliant one for blood draws.

I donate blood pretty frequently and I've found the biggest thing for me is to make sure I've eaten enough before I donate. The cookies/crackers/juice they give you are to help replenish afterwards, sure, but if you go in running on near-empty, there's more chance of you being lightheaded afterwards (while your body processes the sugary snacks to catch up). I haven't had a bad reaction since I started making a marked effort to eat more before the donation.

I donated blood yesterday, too!  And in preparation for the onslought of sugary goodness, I planned an extra LUNA bar and a Vitamin Water into my day's worth of calories so I didn't go overboard, but would still have a little boost afterwards.  Only thing I did different from my day yesterday was not exercise after donating.  First time I've ever brought my own snack and it was great!  I felt more full and satiated than any time I've ever had the "juice and cookies" they offer.

One tidbit - I looked at the ARC website to find out more about this "you burn 650 calories when you donate a pint" advertising I keep seeing.  The Mayo clinic states the same thing.  Best I can guess is that you are not BURNING 650 calories, you are LOSING those calories when you give blood - any other ideas/information found?

Also, since the national ARC websites says "juice and cookies" - they probably have a deal with companies who donate the snacks.  I'm not going to hold my breath for apples and bananas anytime soon :)