The FastDay Forum

5:2 Diet 'Rules' & Variations

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Blood Donations
24 Jan 2013, 14:15
Hi, I'm due to give blood next week - we're always told to eat well on a donation day, but does anyone know if I'd be able to fast the day after?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Re: Blood Donations
24 Jan 2013, 23:53
Good question. I often give blood but didn't think of this. I would say try to have enough time between giving blood and fasting but as long as you have drunk enough water and eaten well on the blood giving day, it should be ok. I don't exercise when I have given blood, but the next day is ok.

Let us know ow you get on
Re: Blood Donations
25 Jan 2013, 10:15
Advice from Michael Mosley is probably best not to give blood on a fasting day. I didn't ask but the day after should be fine as your blood should be replenished by then.
Re: Blood Donations
25 Jan 2013, 11:26
I reguarly give blood and use it as an excuse to eat loads - so I definitely wouldn't go on a fast day!! Thankfully our donation days are usually a Saturday so there would be no chance of that anyway!!

I would probably be fine to fast the day after a donation but personally, I wouldn't fast the day before. I sometimes get a bit light-headed the morning after a fast day a wouldn't want to pass out or anything.
Re: Blood Donations
25 Jan 2013, 11:27
Drew, when you say replenished if you are meaning your body will have made new blood to replace that which you donated after a day or so I think you are wrong. My understanding is it takes 4-6weeks to make up what you donated, hence the period you have to wait before making your next donation.
Re: Blood Donations
25 Jan 2013, 11:31
Forgot to add it's a 4-6 week period unless you are on a cycling team with Lance Armstrong ;)
Re: Blood Donations
25 Jan 2013, 12:18
Thanks for all the replies. I'm due to donate next Wednesday, and planning to fast on Monday and Thursday, though I'll see how I feel on Thursday morning, will let you know how things go.

jem13 - it's also my excuse to eat lots on a donation day!
Re: Blood Donations
26 Jan 2013, 14:14
skippyscuffleton wrote: Drew, when you say replenished if you are meaning your body will have made new blood to replace that which you donated after a day or so I think you are wrong. My understanding is it takes 4-6weeks to make up what you donated, hence the period you have to wait before making your next donation.


You are correct in that it take 4-8 weeks for red blood cells to be replaced, volume will recover in 24 hours. :)
Re: Blood Donations
31 Jan 2013, 15:34
Hi, just a quick up date - I fasted Monday, donated Wednesday (eating lots!) and have been fasting today (Thursday) with no problems.
Re: Blood Donations
31 Jan 2013, 17:16
That's useful to know, thanks Egduf!
Re: Blood Donations
01 Feb 2013, 11:25
Hi, all went fine yesterday, so would have no problem in future with fasting the day after donating.
Re: Blood Donations
17 Mar 2013, 16:43
After a bit of advice, having read through the above post - I am due to have a fast day tomorrow and to give blood on Tuesday afternoon - do you think I'm ok to do this? My son and I usually have a good lunch of jacket potato and beans on a Tuesday!

Thank you x
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