Health Tip: Before You Donate Blood

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 16 ounces of water or something else that's non-alcoholic.
• Avoid taking aspirin for two days before the donation.