How to eat on Coumadin (warfarin)

Why should you be concerned about Vitamin K?

Vitamin K interacts with Coumadin (warfarin) and changes the way warfarin affects the blood. When you eat foods that are high in vitamin K, you can decrease the effect of warfarin. Likewise, eating less vitamin K can increase the effect of the medication. There are two approaches to managing the amount of Vitamin K in your diet: the first is to avoid all foods that are high in Vitamin K. The second is to consume about the same amount of Vitamin K each day. We take the second approach (here’s an article about that on The Right Dose of Vitamin K).

Since it’s best to keep your Vitamin K intake stable, it’s important that you do not make any major changes to your diet without speaking with your doctor. If you want to lose weight, eat a lower fat diet, or become a vegetarian, your doctor would want to know about these changes to help manage your warfarin.

Generally speaking, leafy green vegetables tend to contain higher amounts of vitamin K and one rule of thumb is to suspect that green veggies, cabbages and lettuces are high in Vitamin K. Certain vegetable oils, like canola oil, will have higher amounts of vitamin K.

Foods that are low in vitamin K include roots (like carrots), bulbs (onions, but not green onions/scallions), tubers, and many fruits and fruit juices. Cereals, grains, and other milled products are also low in vitamin K.

Warfarin Information

Healthy Eating Guide for Coumadin (warfarin) Users

What Can I Eat on Coumadin (warfarin)?

The lists of foods below will give you more information on the Vitamin K levels in various foods. Print them out and use them as a handy guide to what you can eat! Brief | En Español (PDF Format): A short list of commonly-used ingredients with their relative levels of…

Vitamin K Levels in Common Foods: Condiments & Misc.

Here is a handy list of the amounts of Vitamin K in the indicated servings of common condiments and other miscellaneous foods. Vitamin K measurements are for the amount measured before cooking. Remember that consistency is key in your daily amount of Vitamin K so that your INR and your…

Vitamin K Levels in Common Foods: Fats, Oils & Dressings

Here is a handy list of the amounts of Vitamin K in the indicated servings of common fats, oils, and dressings. Vitamin K measurements are for the amount measured before cooking. Remember that consistency is key in your daily amount of Vitamin K so that your INR and your dosage…

Vitamin K Levels in Common Foods: Fruit

Here is a handy list of the amounts of Vitamin K in the indicated servings of common fruits. Vitamin K measurements are for the edible portion and if they are cooked, they are measured before cooking. Remember that consistency is key in your daily amount of Vitamin K so that…

Vitamin K Levels in Common Foods: Snacks

Here is a handy list of the amounts of Vitamin K in the indicated servings of common snacks. Vitamin K measurements are for the edible portion. Remember that consistency is key in your daily amount of Vitamin K so that your INR and your dosage of Coumadin (warfarin) can remain…

Vitamin K Levels in Common Foods: Vegetables

Here is a handy list of the amounts of Vitamin K in the indicated servings of common vegetables. Vitamin K measurements are for the edible portion and measured before cooking. Remember that consistency is key in your daily amount of Vitamin K so that your INR and your dosage of…

Vitamin K Levels in Common Foods: Beverages

Here are the amounts of Vitamin K in the indicated servings of each beverage. Remember that consistency is key in your daily amount of Vitamin K. The current Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin K is 70-80 micrograms per day. Here’s why the RDA should be your target. Item Amount Vitamin…