I had Deep Vein Thromboses. I am taking Warfarin (Coumadin) 10mg. Are the following foods safe for me?
Venti (Large size) Non-Fat Latte and an Apple Fritter from Starbucks
Veggie Cheese -
lactose free
Gardenburgers
Veggie chicken burgers
Dr. Gourmet Says...
There are some challenging food items when it comes to knowing the exact Vitamin K content. We have a complete list of foods as part of my book eatTHISdiet for Coumadin® Users. The downloadable version does let you easily search the lists. The information in the book is taken from USDA data
Unfortunately, that data is not always complete because of such items that don't have to be reported such as the Apple Fritter. The Non-Fat Latte should be safe but there's no telling about the pastries and exactly what ingredients are included. For instance, Granny Smith are perfect apples for baking and the skins do contain more Vitamin K than other apples. You just have no way of knowing.
The Gardenburgers and Veggie Chicken Burgers are in a bit of a gray area. They are made from soy and unprocessed soy beans are high in Vitamin K. However, generic "veggie burgers or soy burgers" are low in Vitamin K as reported by the USDA (3 micrograms per patty). Whether the manufacturer included other ingredients that might change this is unknown because they are not required to report it. You should be safe but there's no guarantee.
A good rule of thumb is to work toward a diet that is as fresh as possible so that you know exactly which ingredients are in what you are eating. You don't want to eliminate all Vitamin K. The key is to avoid those ingredients with very high levels.
Thanks for writing,
Timothy S. Harlan, M.D.
Dr. Gourmet
Read More Ask Dr. Gourmet Questions
Will apple cider vinegar help
my acid reflux while I am on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Is it okay to cook with garlic while
on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Are juicers a good idea for
those on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Is my husband's Coumadin dosage stable because
he eats a big salad every day?
Are freeze dried acai berries and
changa mushroom powder OK with Coumadin?
Are Aronia berries (chokeberries)
safe with Coumadin?
Thanks for your lists of foods containing
Vitamin K!
Can you eat green pickled
tomatoes if you are on Coumadin (warfarin)?
Does eating garlic counteract eating
high amounts of Vitamin K?
Will non-alcoholic beer affect
your Coumadin dose?
Is Lean Cuisine Coumadin
safe?
Does grapefruit really interact
with medications? (See also....)
Are almonds a good snack
for those on Coumadin?
Is regular tea, iced or hot,
contraindicated while taking Coumadin?
How Much Vitamin K is in....?
There's an easy way to find out about the nutrition content of any food. Just use The Dr. Gourmet Diet Plan Software.
Just register to use the software, then click the Recipe Box tab. The ingredient database includes over 7,000 ingredients and will show you the nutritional information for those ingredients - including Vitamin K. Use the Food Diary section to help you track your daily Vitamin K intake along with calories and other nutrients. Try it now!