I belong to the pink ladies and volunteer in the gift shop at our local hospital. The bloodmobile had a scheduled visit while I was working. I thought….how perfect….I can give blood when I get off at 4:00 pm.Since I started/restarted this weight loss journey, I have increased my vegetable and fruit intake. I figured I shouldn’t have any trouble giving blood. Boy, did I get a surprise.
The nurse stuck the index finger of my right hand (ouchie) to draw blood. I’m not sure what all they test for. The one thing I know they test for is your level of iron. Much to my surprise, my iron was at 10.4. The nurse told me it had to be at 12 before they could except my blood. She then said they could test the other hand because sometimes it will be higher. I said ok and got my left index finger pricked. Sad to say, my iron level in that test was 10.2.
This tells me I have to start looking at iron levels in the food I’m eating. I’ve been concentrating on low fat and low carbs when checking food items. I felt bad I couldn’t give. I’m sure they wondering how someone my size could have low iron. Probably no more surprised than me….I don’t live on twinkies and candy bars. Geesh……
The nurse explained they would send a notice the next time the bloodmobile would be coming to the hospital. She suggested I eat a little snack box of raisins for two weeks prior to their arrival. This should bring up my iron level. I stopped at the store and bought 3 packages (18 boxes). There are 90 calories in a box and 4% iron content. I’m going to start eating one a day now to see if it will make a difference. I think it’s going to be 3 months before they come back so it’s going to give me plenty of time to get my iron built up.
I’m glad I like raisins!!!
Also dark green leafy vegetables and beetroot! But yes, raisins are excellent!
I don’t know about you but I love dark green leafy vegetables. They are my favourite source of iron, especially curly kale. It’s delicious!
[...] See the original post here: Healthy Eating and Giving Blood [...]
My plan of attack for weight loss is replacing all my traditional snacks with fruits and veggies. All my salads are dry and (brace yourself) I like it that way!! Who would have thought??
I love giving blood! I was turned away a few times in the early days for low iron. Now I eat plenty of dark green leafy veggies and make sure I take a daily vitamin for the two weeks or so before I go to give blood. I actually didn’t know raisins were a good source for iron. I will add those in since I looove raisins!
When I make salads, I usually make them for my husband and my mom. I also make sure they are eating vegetables. I often skip them. I’m going to change that habit. Tonight for supper all I had was a salad. It was great..full of onion, green pepper, tomato, cucumber and mixed lettuce. I’m still full at 11:30. Yippeeee
I am not a fan of raisins on their own, but I keep them handy to throw in meals whenever it seems appropriate (even salads)
Given your low iron count, it is a signal your not eating enough vegetables. You should eat more dark greens and beans. Also, have you considered eating more figs, almonds, hazel nuts, and red kidney beans? Rather than trying a quick fix from a vitamin pill or eating raisins until you can’t stand the sight of another raisin, use your iron count as a barometer for your diet.
You’ll know your eating enough when your iron count is back up without performing any tricks before taking your test. This blood test should tell you, eat my vegetables, and eat more good foods, not pound raisins.
Don’t get me wrong raisins are good too,
Iron isn’t something that’s really on my radar – that’s bad presumably? If you like raisins I can’t see too much harm doing it that way. Personally I am not a fan, which is helpful round Christmas as I don’t like mince pies or Christmas pud. A raisin seems a bit of a tragedy to me. Why would you turn a grape into that, when it could have been turned into wine and fulfilled its destiny?