How to Give Blood as a Vegetarian
I walked into my American Red Cross blood donation appointment in February feeling confident. I eat well, I exercise and I care about doing my part. Then came the results from the hemoglobinometer they slipped over my finger and a polite but firm rejection. My hemoglobin was too low.
It was frustrating, but it sent me down a path I’m grateful for. Because I learned that if you’re vegetarian—or, like me, eat a mostly plant-based diet—you can give blood. You just have to be a bit more intentional about iron.
Your Red Cross Update 