Healthy Habits for Regular Plasma Donors: How to Feel Your Best Between Donations

A Thriving Donor Community Begins with You

As a regular plasma donor, you’re the foundation of BioLife’s growing community of donors. Your plasma donations help save the lives of countless patients who depend on plasma therapies. Our goal is to help you continue to feel your best between donations.

We’re outlining the consistent habits that help regular donors recover quickly and reduce the chance of any side effects. The best part is that these habits are great for your overall health, too. Hydration, nutritious meals, and quality sleep, as well as best practices for when to exercise, can make a huge difference between donations and in your everyday life. It’s our hope that implementing these healthy habits into your routine will help you maintain a pleasant repeat donation experience so you can keep giving back as often as you’d like and are able.

As a repeat plasma donor, your routine is an important part of the donation experience. If you still have questions after reading, our staff is always available to answer questions about preparing for donations or talk through your next steps. The BioLife team is here to be your trusted partner in maintaining a healthy plasma donation routine.

Here we’re breaking down the dos and don’ts for a well-balanced routine and answering the most commonly asked questions. It’s your reference for feeling great between each and every donation. As an experienced donor, the healthy habits you form before and after donations can help you bounce back with ease. And if you’re reading this as a potential first-time donor, this advice is just as relevant to you.

How can you stay hydrated? 

Based on current recommendations, it’s best to aim for 11.5 to 15.5 cups of water each day.¹ Hydration can help minimize potential side effects, such as lightheadedness or dizziness. If you’re hydrating right before your donation, drink room-temperature liquids – not too hot or too cold – to help maintain a normal body temperature. Another perk of hydration: Fluids can “pump up” your veins, which can help shorten the time it takes to donate plasma.

What should you eat before donating plasma? 

Aim for a high-protein meal three hours before your donation to keep you full of the healthy nutrients you’ll need for a successful donation. Higher-protein foods include eggs, dairy, lean meats, black beans, chickpeas, tofu, lentils, and fish. Foods rich in iron, such as tuna, eggs, and dark green vegetables, are also great before donating. Be sure to steer clear of fatty foods. For more information, download BioLife's Health & Nutrition Brochure.

Why do iron and protein matter for regular donors? 

Iron and protein are the key ingredients for donation success. Why iron? As part of your donation appointment, BioLife will test your hematocrit level to make sure it’s not too low to donate. Eating foods rich in iron can help maintain a healthy hematocrit ratio. We’ll also check your protein level. When it comes to protein, the typical person requires a minimum of 50-80 grams per day, or .36 grams per pound of body weight.² 

How much sleep should you get around plasma donations?

Sleep is critical for health and recovery. As consistently as possible, shoot for at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, especially when you know you’ll be donating plasma.³ This will not only help you maintain your donation schedule but also support your overall quality of life.

We love to hear from our repeat donor community about how our donation routine tips and habits have helped them donate successfully and feel their best:

BioLife works with you to help ensure a safe and comfortable donation experience every time. That includes making sure you know how to feel your best between donations. We get these same questions from many of our first-time donors who are often wanting to know what they can do to help the process along. BioLife works with you to help ensure a safe and comfortable donation experience every time. That includes making sure you know how to feel your best between donations. We get these same questions from many of our first-time donors who are often wanting to know what they can do to help the process along.

What helps with plasma donation recovery?

Recovery is where your healthy routine shines. By focusing on quality, high-protein and high-iron foods, sleeping well, staying hydrated, and avoiding the habits that can negatively impact your health, you’re setting yourself up for a quick recovery.

What should you eat and drink after donating plasma? 

The same nutritional habits that set you up for success before donation can work wonders after donating. Prioritize high-protein, iron-rich meals and drink plenty of water. Fruit is a great post-donation snack, especially water-dense options like cantaloupe and watermelon. Some other go-tos include trail mix, beef jerky, cheese, and sports drinks.

How much recovery time should you give yourself?

In line with FDA guidance, repeat donors can donate twice within a seven-day period, with at least one calendar day between donations. Always listen to your body and rest up as needed. If you don’t feel ready to donate, hold off until you do. We want you to be feeling well before you commit to your next donation.

When can you exercise around plasma donations? 

While exercising is absolutely good for you and part of a healthy lifestyle, we encourage our donor community to avoid strenuous activity in the hour before donating. A hard workout right before your appointment can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, potentially resulting in a deferral. After donating, plan on giving yourself at least 24 hours before returning to intense workouts or heavy lifting.

What if you don’t feel ready for your next donation? 

If you’re not feeling well enough or ready to donate, it’s important to reschedule your donation for when you’ll be in full health. Then, get plenty of rest and take care of yourself until you’re feeling better. This ensures not only your safety but the safety of our staff and plasma recipients. You can manage your appointment at any time by reaching out to your donation center, logging in online, or using the BioLife app.

We’ve gone through some healthy habits to add to your routine. There are also a few habits that are just as important to minimize or avoid altogether for a successful donation.

Should you avoid alcohol before donating plasma? 

Avoid drinking alcohol before and after your donation to ensure you are able to donate and to minimize side effects after donating. Alcoholic beverages can cause dehydration, which can impact your blood flow during donations and make recovery harder. 

What about caffeine? 

Avoid caffeinated beverages before your donation. They can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, which could lead to a deferral. 

How does smoking affect plasma donation? 

Smoking before a donation can raise your blood pressure and heart rate⁴ to levels that may result in your donation being deferred. And smoking right after your donation could cause side effects like dizziness or fainting. It’s our recommendation to avoid smoking for at least 30 minutes before and after donating, and in general. 

Why should you avoid high-fat foods before donating plasma? 

Certain fatty foods like hamburgers, fries, ice cream, and cakes can give your plasma a “milky” appearance. That color change can interfere with your pre-donation testing.

For those who wish to be frequent donors, our goal is to help equip you with repeatable routines so that you’re prepared to donate as frequently as you’d like and are able, within established FDA guidelines.

That’s why it’s important to integrate healthy habits into your daily life. Besides helping you maintain a successful donation schedule, they will contribute to your overall well-being and energy levels. We know how rewarding giving back can be. A single donation can grow into a desire to give regularly, and we’re thankful for every donation.

How often can you donate plasma?

Healthy donors can donate as often as twice within a seven-day period. However, there must be at least one calendar day between donations.

What if you need extra time between donations?  

If you need more time before your next donation, take it! Because your body replenishes its plasma within 24 to 48 hours, recovery periods tend to be brief for many healthy donors. However, it’s normal for some people to need a little more time to return to their full energy level. If you have questions, reach out to the BioLife team. We’re here to help.

What happens if you receive a temporary deferral? 

Despite your best efforts to come into your donation appointment as prepared as possible, we may find that it’s not the best time for you to donate. Our priority is to help make sure that it’s safe for you to donate. A temporary donor deferral simply means you cannot donate for a specified number of days based on the criteria we use to protect your health and the health of plasma recipients. You can reschedule your donation appointment after the deferral period.

Repeat donors pave the way for us to save as many lives as possible. Your continued generosity extends the impact of the BioLife family. Plasma therapies have been helping those in need for more than 50 years, and we’re committed to changing the lives of even more patients, now and into the future.

Every repeat donor started as a first-time donor. If you’re interested in donating plasma for the first time, register today.

Looking to get even more involved? Download the BioLife app today (Apple/Google) to see weekly promotions, plan your donation schedule, and manage your appointments. And as a regular donor, you already know just how win-win plasma donation is. Refer your friends and family to earn additional compensation through our Buddy Bonus program.