Nutritional Guidelines for Patients on Anticoagulation Therapy

Good nutrition is eating a variety of healthy foods. Choose foods that include whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Aim for lower fat foods with less saturated fat and cholesterol. Many healthy foods contain vitamin K, which can interfere with the action of anticoagulants. The goal is to maintain a healthy diet with consistent amounts of vitamin K foods so that fluctuations do not occur. Do not eat small amounts of vitamin K foods one day and double up the next. Avoid major changes in your diet. Call 201-996-4712 if you have questions about your diet in relation to taking anticoagulants. Guidelines for a Healthy Diet Important Points to Remember Foods Containing High Amounts of Vitamin K Guidelines for a Healthy Diet Guidelines for a healthy diet during anticoagulation therapy include: Reduce High-Fat Food Consumption Eat less high-fat food (especially those high in saturated fat ). Saturated fat is fat from animal products (e.g., red meat) and dairy products (e.g., butter, cream, cheese) as well as from some plant oils (e.g., coconut, palm). Cholesterol is found only in animal and dairy products. Eat More Complex Carbohydrates Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates. Examples of such foods are whole wheat breads, bran, whole wheat cereals, brown rice, and oats. Legumes, such as beans and lentils, are also high in fiber. Eat More Fruits & Vegetables Eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Since some vegetables are high in vitamin K, remember to keep your intake consistent (see table below). In general, green leafy vegetables, certain legumes, and some vegetable oils contain a high amount of vitamin K. Avoid Certain Dietary Supplements Do not take a dietary supplement such as Ensure Plus without calling the Anticoagulation Service. Many supplements contain vitamin K. Avoid Certain Multivitamin Supplements Be aware that some multivitamin supplements contain vitamin K and therefore should be avoided. Some vitamins and herbs can affect the anticoagulant response by increasing or reducing your PT/INR. (See Drug and Herb Interactions. ) Calcium supplements such as Viactiv or Calcium Chews, when taken 2 to 3 times a day, may interfere with anticoagulation absorption. Back to Top Back to What We Do Important Points to Remember Eat a healthy, well balanced diet. Strive for consistency in your daily intake of vitamin K foods. Inform the health care provider monitoring your anticoagulation therapy of any changes in your vitamins, herbal supplements, or intake of foods containing vitamin K. Foods Containing High Amounts of Vitamin K High content indicates greater than 150 mcg. Food Portion Size Vitamin K Content Fats & Oils Mayonnaise Soybean oil Canola and salad oil* 7 tablespoons 1 tablespoon 7 tablespoons high high high Meats Beef liver Pork liver 4 ounces 4 ounces high high Vegetables Broccoli Brussel sprouts Chick peas Kale Spinach Turnip greens Cabbage, green (fresh or boiled) Watercress Lettuce (raw, bibb, red)** Parsley (raw & cooked) Collard greens ½ cup ½ cup ½ cup, dry ½ cup, raw 1 cup, raw ½ cup, cooked 1 ½ cups 3 cups, chopped, raw 1 ¾ cups 1 ½ cups ½ cup high Very high high high high high high high high high high Beverages Brewed green tea Herbal teas with tonka beans, melilot (sweet clover), or sweet wooddruff 1 cup 1 cup insignificant interaction AVOID significant interaction * Olive oil has medium vitamin K content. Peanut, corn, sesame, and sunflower oils are low in vitamin K. ** Iceburg lettuce (5 leaves) contains a medium amount of vitamin K. Adapted from: A patient’s guide to using Coumadin®(2001), DuPont Pharmaceuticals. Nutritive Value of Food, Home & Garden Bulletin (1998), United States Department of Agriculture. Back to Top Back to What We Do