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 of 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 of what foods you can eat and in what amounts. Exact amounts 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.
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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 can range to 2.5-3.5 for heart valves 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
- Butchers 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 serving 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) |
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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 | 0.1μg (0% DV) |
| Beets (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0.3μg (0% DV) |
| Sweet Corn (Raw or Canned) | 1 cup | 0.5μg (1% DV) |
| Onions (Raw or Cooked) | 1 medium (331g) | 1μg (1% DV) |
| Rutabagas (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0.5μg (1% DV) |
| Pumpkin (Cooked) | 1 cup | 2μg (2% DV) |
| Winter Squash, Butternut/Spaghetti (Cooked) | 1 cup | 2μg (2% DV) |
| Summer Squash (Cooked) | 1 cup | 3μg (3% DV) |
| Potatoes (Cooked) | 1 cup | 3μg (3% DV) |
| Sweet Potatoes (Cooked) | 1 cup | 7μg (6% DV) |
| Eggplants (Cooked) | 1 cup | 3μg (4% DV) |
| Bamboo shoots (Raw or Canned) | 1 cup | 0μg (0% DV) |
| Portabella Mushrooms (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0μg (0% DV) |
| White Mushrooms (Raw or Cooked) | 1 cup | 0μg (0% DV) |
| Shiitake Mushrooms (Cooked) | 1 cup | 0μg (0% DV) |
| Tomatoes (Raw) | 1 cup | 14μg (12% DV) |
| Tomatoes (Cooked) | 1 cup | 7μg (6% DV) |
| Cucumbers (Raw) | 1 cup | 17μg (14% DV) |
| Iceberg Lettuce (Raw) | 1 cup shredded | 17.4μg (14% DV) |
| Artichokes | 1 medium | 18.9μg (16% DV) |
Fruits Low in Vitamin K
| Food | Serving Size | Vitamin K Content |
| Watermelon | 1 cup diced | 0.2μg (0% DV) |
| Litchis | 1 cup | 0.8μg (1% DV) |
| Bananas | 1 medium (105g) | 0.6μg (1% DV) |
| Pineapple | 1 cup | 1.2μg (1% DV) |
| Apples | 1 medium (182g) | 4μg (3% DV) |
| Nectarines | 1 medium (142g) | 3μg (3% DV) |
| Strawberries | 1 cup | 3μg (3% DV) |
| Peaches | 1 medium (150g) | 4μg (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
All grain products are low in vitamin K. Here are some examples:| Food | Serving Size | Vitamin K Content |
| White Rice | 1 cup | 0μg (0% DV) |
| Brown Rice | 1 cup | 0.4μg (1% DV) |
| Couscous | 1 cup | 0.2μg (0% DV) |
| Cornmeal (White or Yellow) | 1 cup | 0.4μg (0% DV) |
| Bulgur | 1 cup | 0.9μg (1% DV) |
| Pearled Barley | 1 cup | 1.3μg (1% DV) |
| Pasta (Plain) | 1 cup | 0μg (0% DV) |
| Whole Wheat Bread | 1 Slice | 0μg (0% DV) |
| Buckwheat | 1 cup | 3.2μg (4% DV) |
| Millet | 1 cup | 0.5μg (1% DV) |
| Quinoa | 1 cup | 0.0μg (0% DV) |
Other Food Groups
All meats are low in vitamin K with the exception of some canned fish packed in oil, and abalone.All Dairy and Egg Products are low in Vitamin K. Besides black-eyed peas, soybeans, soy products, and green beans, all beans and legumes are low in vitamin K. If you are into juicing, here are some low vitamin K juice recipes.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.
