At Prep Kitchen, we know that good nutrition can help you to look and feel your best, but your diet plays a much broader role in your health. For blood donors, in particular, what and when you eat can significantly affect the quality of their donation.
That's why we're partnering with WeDonate, the UK's leading platform for blood donors, to highlight how the right diet can help people stay healthy and eligible to donate.
Why nutrition matters for blood donors
Every day, around 4,300 blood donations are needed to support patients across the UK. A single donation of blood can save up to three lives, but stocks of blood have recently hit critically low levels. The NHS declared an amber alert on blood supplies in August 2024, so maintaining these reserves is more important than ever.
However, many people who want to give blood find themselves ineligible to do so due to low iron levels. Iron is vital for producing haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. If iron levels fall too low, haemoglobin levels may drop below the donation threshold. Thankfully, eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can help keep iron levels balanced, and prevents valuable donations being refused or discarded.
A shared commitment to giving back
Whether you want to improve your fitness and energy, or just make a positive impact, Prep Kitchen is there to provide the nutrition you need, effortlessly. Giving back is woven into everything we do, and we believe that teaming up with WeDonate is a natural fit for our brand. Together, we can offer blood donors practical nutrition advice, exclusive perks, and expert-backed support.
"We believe food should fuel people to be the best version of themselves," says Mark Morley, Co-Founder of Prep Kitchen. "Teaming up with WeDonate allows us to help donors optimise their nutrition and make every donation count."
WeDonate's Co-Founder, Stephen King, added:
"Blood donors are true heroes, giving up their time to help save lives. At WeDonate, we want to support them in every way possible. Through this partnership with Prep Kitchen, donors will have easy access to the nutritious meals they need to stay healthy and continue making a difference."
Eat well, give more
Eating the right foods can help maintain healthy iron levels, keeping donors in top condition to give blood when it's needed most. Here are some great iron-rich options:
- Lean meats and seafood - Beef, lamb, turkey, and oily fish like sardines provide easily absorbed iron.
- Plant-based sources - Lentils, beans, chickpeas, and tofu are excellent options for non-meat eaters.
- Leafy greens - Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and green leafy herbs like parsley are packed with iron.
- Iron-fortified cereals & grains - A simple way to add an iron boost to your diet.
- Vitamin C-rich foods - Oranges, peppers, and tomatoes help your body absorb iron more efficiently.
Keep an eye on our blog and social media channels, and the WeDonate website, for regular updates about keeping you - and your blood - in tip top condition. We'll also be giving more information about blood donation eligibility and the factors which may affect this, as well as lots of other fascinating facts about this very important topic.
If you're not already a blood donor because you've never had the time to look into it, then Prep Kitchen can help with this too!
Time saved = lives saved
Life is busy, and finding time for important tasks can be a challenge. Giving blood takes just about an hour - the same amount of time many people spend on shopping, cooking, and cleaning up after a meal. By choosing Prep Kitchen's ready-made, nutrient-dense meals, donors can reclaim that time and use it to do something truly life-changing, like giving blood.
What to expect from the partnership
Prep Kitchen and WeDonate aim to work together to give donors the advice and support they need to stay healthy and eligible to give blood.
Here are just a few of the things we have planned to help support our valued community:
- Educational Content - Practical nutrition advice to help donors maintain healthy iron levels and overall well-being.
- Social Media Campaigns - Raising awareness about the importance of nutrition in blood donation and encouraging more people to give.
- Exclusive Perks for Donors - Special offers and discounts from Prep Kitchen as a thank-you to those who donate.
- Support from Fitness & Wellness Experts - Prep Kitchen ambassadors sharing expert tips on health and nutrition for donors.
Through our partnership with WeDonate, we're making it easier than ever for people to eat well, stay healthy, and even make a life-saving difference. WeDonate members who sign up for a Prep Kitchen subscription will also be given an exclusive discount code to make it even easier to eat healthier (new PK customers only).
Every meal, every donation - together, we can help save lives.
If you enjoyed this news from Prep Kitchen head office, read these other articles in our News section:
Eating Disorders Awareness Week: PK Ambassadors Share Their Stories
