Foods Low in Vitamin K for a Warfarin (Coumadin) Diet


If you are taking an anticoagulant or a blood thinner, like Warfarin (Coumadin), then it is important to keep your PT/INR (Prothrombin Time and International Normalized Ratio) levels stable. PT/INR measure factors for blood coagulation.
In order to maintain stable PT/INR levels you should not eat more than 1 serving of a high vitamin K food, and no more than 3 servings of a food with moderate amounts of vitamin K. What is important is that your intake of vitamin K stays consistent. Having a cheat day where you eat a large amount of vitamin K, like a spinach salad, could be extremely harmful.
This is a guide to which foods you can eat and in what amounts. The exact amounts will depend on your dosage of Warfarin. Listed below are foods low in vitamin K presented by food group with sample serving sizes and amounts of vitamin K. For more ideas, use the nutrient ranking tool to sort by food group and serving size.
- Introduction
- Points When Taking Warfarin
- Vitamin K Foods to Limit to 1 Serving Per Day
- Vitamin K foods to Limit to 3 Servings Per Day
- Foods Low in Vitamin K to eat on a Warfarin (Coumadin) Diet
- Vegetables Low in Vitamin K
- Fruits Low in Vitamin K
- Grains (Starches) Low in Vitamin K
- Other Food Groups Low in Vitamin K
- Warnings
- Related
- Feedback
- References
General points when taking Warfarin (Coumadin)
- A low INR means you have increased risk of clotting
- A high INR means you have an increased risk of bleeding
- Warfarin increases INR, Vitamin K decreases it
- Most doctors aim to keep INR around 2-3, but it can go up to 2.5-3.5 for people with heart valve issues or other extreme cases
- When a doctor prescribes Warfarin, they are trying to balance it with how much vitamin K you eat
- Regularly check your PT/INR levels
- Take the same amount of Warfarin at the same time each day
- Keep your intake of vitamin K consistent from day to day
- Eat no more than 1 serving of food that contains 200%-600% DV of vitamin K
- Eat no more than 3 servings of food that contains 60-200% DV of vitamin K
- Eliminate alcohol if you can, or limit yourself to no more than 3 drinks a day
- Take no more than 800IU of vitamin E supplements
- Avoid cranberries and cranberry juice as they can raise INR and risk of bleeding
- Limit or avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice
- Avoid drinking green tea as it antagonizes Warfarin and lowers INR
- Work with your doctor when taking CoQ10 as it can hamper the effectiveness of Warfarin
- Many natural herbs, roots, berries, and supplements affect PT/INR levels, so it is best to avoid them unless your doctor advises otherwise. The following supplements definitely affect PT/INR levels:
- Arnica
- Bilberry
- Butcher's Broom
- Cat's Claw
- Dong Quai
- Feverfew
- Forskolin
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Gingko
- Goji Berries
- Horse Chestnut
- Insositol Hexaphosphate
- Licorice
- Melilot (Sweet Clover)
- Pau D'arco
- Red Clover
- St. John's Wort
- Sweet Woodruff
- Turmeric
- Willow Bark
- Wheat Grass
List of Vitamin K Foods to Limit to 1 Serving Per Day (200%-450% DV)
Food | Serving Size | Vitamin K Content |
Boiled Kale | 1/2 cup | (442% DV) |
Boiled Spinach | 1/2 cup | (370% DV) |
Boiled Mustard Greens | 1/2 cup | (346% DV) |
Boiled Collard Greens | 1/2 cup | (332% DV) |
Boiled Turnip Greens | 1/2 cup | (220% DV) |
Boiled Swiss Chard | 1/2 cup | (239% DV) |
Raw Parsley | 1/4 cup | (205% DV) |
List of Vitamin K Foods to Limit to 3 Servings Per Day (60%-100% DV)
Food | Serving Size | Vitamin K Content |
Raw Spinach | 1 cup | (121% DV) |
Raw Turnip Greens | 1 cup | (115% DV) |
Raw Endive | 1 cup | (96% DV) |
Boiled Brussels Sprouts | 1/2 cup | (91% DV) |
Raw Broccoli | 1 cup | (77% DV) |
Raw Romaine Lettuce | 1 cup | (40% DV) |
Foods Low in Vitamin K to eat on a Warfarin (Coumadin) Diet
Vegetables Low in Vitamin K
Food | Serving Size | Vitamin K Content |
Turnips (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0.1mcg (0% DV) |
Beets (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0.3mcg (0% DV) |
Sweet Corn (Raw or Canned) | 1 cup | 0.5mcg (1% DV) |
Onions (Raw or Cooked) | 1 medium (331g) | 1mcg (1% DV) |
Rutabagas (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0.5mcg (1% DV) |
Pumpkin (Cooked) | 1 cup | 2mcg (2% DV) |
Winter Squash, Butternut/Spaghetti (Cooked) | 1 cup | 2mcg (2% DV) |
Summer Squash (Cooked) | 1 cup | 3mcg (3% DV) |
Potatoes (Cooked) | 1 cup | 3mcg (3% DV) |
Sweet Potatoes (Cooked) | 1 cup | 7mcg (6% DV) |
Eggplants (Cooked) | 1 cup | 3mcg (4% DV) |
Bamboo shoots (Raw or Canned) | 1 cup | 0mcg (0% DV) |
Portabella Mushrooms (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0mcg (0% DV) |
White Mushrooms (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0mcg (0% DV) |
Shiitake Mushrooms (Cooked) | 1 cup | 0mcg (0% DV) |
Tomatoes (Raw) | 1 cup | 14mcg (12% DV) |
Tomatoes (Cooked) | 1 cup | 7mcg (6% DV) |
Cucumbers (Raw) | 1 cup | 17mcg (14% DV) |
Iceberg Lettuce (Raw) | 1 cup shredded | 17.4mcg (14% DV) |
Artichokes | 1 medium | 18.9mcg (16% DV) |
Fruits Low in Vitamin K
Food | Serving Size | Vitamin K Content |
Watermelon | 1 cup diced | 0.2mcg (0% DV) |
Litchis | 1 cup | 0.8mcg (1% DV) |
Bananas | 1 medium (105g) | 0.6mcg (1% DV) |
Pineapple | 1 cup | 1.2mcg (1% DV) |
Apples | 1 medium (182g) | 4mcg (3% DV) |
Nectarines | 1 medium (142g) | 3mcg (3% DV) |
Strawberries | 1 cup | 3mcg (3% DV) |
Peaches | 1 medium (150g) | 4mcg (3% DV) |
Citrus fruits, like oranges, should also be limited or avoided. Approach mangoes, blueberries, and pomegranate with caution as these fruits can also affect PT/INR.
See the full list of fruits low in vitamin K. Low vitamin K does not necessarily guarantee safe administration of Warfarin (Coumadin).
Grains (Starches) Low in Vitamin K
Food | Serving Size | Vitamin K Content |
White Rice | 1 cup | 0mcg (0% DV) |
Brown Rice | 1 cup | 0.4mcg (1% DV) |
Couscous | 1 cup | 0.2mcg (0% DV) |
Cornmeal (White or Yellow) | 1 cup | 0.4mcg (0% DV) |
Bulgur | 1 cup | 0.9mcg (1% DV) |
Pearled Barley | 1 cup | 1.3mcg (1% DV) |
Pasta (Plain) | 1 cup | 0mcg (0% DV) |
Whole Wheat Bread | 1 Slice | 0mcg (0% DV) |
Buckwheat | 1 cup | 3.2mcg (4% DV) |
Millet | 1 cup | 0.5mcg (1% DV) |
Quinoa | 1 cup | 0.0mcg (0% DV) |
Other Food Groups Low in Vitamin K
Warnings
- Avoid making any big changes to your diet. If you try any new food, try it in small quantities and monitor your PT/INR
- Even though a food is low in vitamin K it does not mean that it will not interact with Warfarin (Coumadin). This article is intended as a general guide for foods low in vitamin K and is for information purposes only. As stated above, try new foods with caution and consult health care providers or literature before trying new foods.

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