Coumadin, or generically named Warfarin, is a medication prescribed by a doctor to thin the blood and prevent clots. If you currently have a blood clot or once had heart surgery including stent placements, your doctor may start you on Coumadin. Vitamin K in your diet works to clot blood; therefore, it works against the blood-thinning qualities of Coumadin. Vitamin K is found in many vegetables in varying quantities.
Vegetable Intake While Taking Coumadin
Although you will be limited in eating some vegetables when taking the medication Coumadin -- those high in vitamin K -- there is still a variety of vegetables available to you without restriction. What kind of vegetables you eat and how much depends largely on your personal preferences and typical intake of vegetables prior to starting on Coumadin.
Foods High in Vitamin K
High vitamin K foods include dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, collard and mustard greens, broccoli, kale and seaweed. Brussels sprouts, cabbage and green onions are also high in vitamin K. These foods, if eaten in excess, can interfere with the functionality of Coumadin and decrease the effectiveness of the medication. Liver, canola oils and green tea also have significant quantities of vitamin K.
Foods With Little or No Vitamin K
While taking Coumadin, foods with little to no vitamin K content can be eaten without restriction. Some of these foods include red cabbage, cauliflower, artichokes, carrots, peeled cucumbers and tomatoes. These vegetables contain such a low amount of vitamin K that they are not bound to interfere with your Coumadin effectiveness. Although these foods do not need to be monitored as closely as the high vitamin K foods, it is important to avoid over-consumption of any of these foods at one time.
Frequency of Vitamin K consumption
You may find it easiest to avoid the high vitamin K foods altogether when taking Coumadin. However, if you enjoy the eating those foods and do not wish to cut them out of your diet completely, there are ways to consume high vitamin K foods safely while taking Coumadin. The most important thing to remember is to be consistent with your vitamin K intake. You can either avoid all high vitamin K foods or eat a small amount of vitamin K foods each day. Eating a serving of vitamin K foods every day will not interfere with Coumadin dosing; however, you must make a commitment to be consistent on a daily basis. One serving is equal to 1/2 cup of cooked vitamin K vegetables or 1 cup of raw vitamin K vegetables.
