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It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.

Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy


 
 

Ask Dr. Gourmet

Why should Coumadin (warfarin) users avoid frozen meals?

What does avoiding eating frozen foods have to do with being on Coumadin?

Dr. Gourmet Says...

Vitamin K is not listed in the Nutrition Facts box on frozen food packages (indeed, it is not on any food), as food manufacturers are not required to report the amount of that vitamin, and consequently do not test for its presence.

Because of this you can't know for sure how much Vitamin K you are consuming when eating convenience meals. I tell my Coumadin patients to avoid eating frozen and other convenience foods for this reason: your doctor may feel differently and you should follow their guidance.

Thanks for writing,

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet