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How to prepare yourself for donating blood

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Donating blood isn't a trivial matter. Without preparation, you can become tired and listless after your act of kindness.

The American Red Cross offers this advice before you donate:

  • Eat plenty of iron-rich foods, including red meat, leafy greens, beans, poultry, raisins and iron-fortified cereals.
  • Get a good night's sleep.
  • Drink extra fluids – about 473 mililitres of water or something else that's non-alcoholic.
  • Avoid taking aspirin for two days before the donation.
Read more:

•             Top excuses for not donating blood

•             Why Celebs line up to donate blood

•             Dog donates blood to save cat


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