Over 23 million Americans have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. People with diabetes either do not make enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin they do make to control blood sugar. Some people with diabetes are prescribed warfarin, a medication that helps prevent blood from clotting. People with diabetes on warfarin need to follow a special diet to aid in blood sugar control and provide a consistent amount of vitamin K.
Carbohydrate Counting
The carbohydrate-counting diet is a meal-planning tool designed to control the number of carbohydrates consumed. Starches and fruits cause elevations in blood sugar, and controlling the amount at each meal aids in blood sugar control. Typically, carbohydrate intake is limited to 45 to 60 g per meal, according to the American Diabetes Association. But a doctor or dietitian can help determine more specific carbohydrate goals. Nonstarchy vegetables do not contain high amounts of carbohydrate and do not need to be counted as part of the carbohydrate content of a meal. However, many nonstarchy vegetables contain high amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K counteracts the effectiveness of warfarin. Mayo Clinic suggests people on warfarin not eat large quantities of foods with vitamin K, such as spinach, kale, collards and green tea.
Diabetes Exchange Diet
The diabetes exchange diet is a structured meal plan that divides foods into groups based on similarities in nutrient content. People following the diabetes exchange diet are allowed to eat a certain number of servings, or exchanges, from each group based on calorie needs. The diabetes exchange diet is a good diet for people taking warfarin because it limits nonstarchy vegetable intake to a specific number of servings each day. A doctor or dietitian can help determine calorie and exchange needs. While on warfarin, diabetics are encouraged to avoid cranberry juice. While on the diabetes exchange diet, people can easily exchange a serving of cranberry juice for a serving of apple or orange juice.
The Diabetes Food Guide Pyramid
The diabetes food guide pyramid is designed to teach people with diabetes how to make healthy food choices. It, too, divides foods into groups based on similarities in nutrient content. It encourages people with diabetes to eat more foods from the bottom of the pyramid, including starches, fruits and vegetables, and limit the intake of foods from the top of the pyramid, including sweets and fats. It also offers serving suggestions to help the person on warfarin control his intake of vitamin K-rich foods.
