Gatorade Before - After Blood Donation?

[SkyWarn]

I will be donating blood in the net day or 2 and as usual I am dreading it. I feel weak and lightheaded for about 8 hours after a donation. Then of course the next day I feel bette then ever.
Wondering if I should load up on Gatorade or anything else to ease symptoms.

 

[fifty]

After

 

[Vince Carter]

Do you eat prior to your donation?

 

[SkyWarn]

Do you eat prior to your donation?

Yes I eat a large meal before and shortly after. Additionally I drink 4 or 5 of those cranberry juice bottles they offer at the Red Cross plus a lot of the free cookies lol

 

[Vince]

I always liked donating on an empty stomach, afterwards I would only drink black coffee and water. I read that's not the right way to do it, I felt if I ate a meal, a lot of blood would go to my stomach to help digest food.

 

[SkyWarn]

One of the strange side effects I always get for the first 8 hours after donating is lightheaded when urinating, as if I am about to black out. Sometimes I need to hold on the the wall. I think I read this is called the Vagal Reflex.

 

[SkyWarn]

Just returned from the Red Cross. 16 ounces water 30 min before donation and 32 oz Gatorade after and I feel pretty good. I usually get light headed and feel weak after a blood donation but not today.