Diet for Coumadin/warfarin Users
Alcohol
Alcohol can affect your Coumadin/warfarin dosage but it does not mean you must avoid all alcohol. It is suggested that
alcohol intake be limited to 1-2drinks per day. Most important is that you keep to your pattern. For example, if you are
used to having a glass of wine with dinner, continue to have a glass of wine. The same would be true of beer or a mixed
drink. Do not drink more than usual. Serious problems can occur with alcohol and Coumadin®/warfarin when you drink
more than 2 drinks a day or when you change your usual pattern. Saturday night binges would not be good for you. Be
careful at special occasions or holidays—drink only what you usually do on any day of the week.
Herbs
Patients taking Coumadin should avoid taking herbal products without first consulting their doctors. Some herbal
products interact with Coumadin and increase its blood thinning effects leading to bleeding disorders. Herbal products
to be avoided include green tea, herbal teas containing tonka beans, sweet clover or sweet woodruff, bromelains, dong
quai, garlic, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, chamomile, Echinacea, saw palmetto, St. John's wort.
Supplements
Avoid these supplements unless your doctor specifically approves their use: fish oil, walnut oil, flaxseed oil, garlic oil,
ginger, onion extract pills, vitamin C or E (in amounts greater than the RDA), coenzyme Q-10, glucosamine, or alfalfa.
Fats and Oils
Some oils can impact the way Coumadin works in your body. These include soybean oil, olive oil and canola oil. Not only
should you avoid using these oils when you cook, you should read labels on the products you purchase to make sure
they do not contain these oils. For example, mayonnaise may contain canola or olive oil.
Foods
The foods that you eat can affect how well Coumadin/warfarin works for you. The most important thing to remember is
to eat what you normally eat and not make any major changes in your diet without calling your doctor. Do not go on a
weight loss plan while taking Coumadin/warfarin. Do not add any vitamins or nutrition supplements to your diet without
first checking with your doctor. For example, do not take Ensure or SlimFast without talking to your doctor.
Especially important with Coumadin/warfarin is to keep your intake of Vitamin K regular. Vitamin K is important for
blood to clot. Since Coumadin/warfarin works to keep blood from clotting, high amounts of Vitamin K might work
against Coumadin/warfarin.
The highest amount of Vitamin K is found in green and leafy vegetables like broccoli, different kinds of lettuce, cabbage
and spinach. The main thing to remember is - keep your diet the same, including foods you eat that contain Vitamin K. If
you normally eat a salad for lunch – keep eating a salad for lunch.
Food group
Milk and dairy products
Rich in vitamin K: keep
your intake of these
consistent


No cow’s milk product
is rich in vitamin K.
Soy milk is higher in
vitamin K than other
milk products
Vegetables
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Fruits and fruit juice
Dark green leafy
vegetables: chard,
kale, spinach, lettuce
(bibb, endive, iceberg,
red leaf), parsley,
watercress, beet
greens, collard greens,
mustard greens, and
turnip greens
Broccoli and
cauliflower
More information
Cow’s milk products include
cheese, yogurt, cottage
cheese.
All other vegetables not listed
at left are low in vitamin K.
None are rich in vitamin K.
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Grains
None are rich in vitamin K.
Limit cranberry juice to
1/2 cup per day.
Although it is not high
in vitamin K, cranberry
juice can affect how
your Coumadin
(warfarin) works in
your body.
Your doctor may tell
you to avoid drinking
grapefruit juice at the
same time that you
take your Coumadin
(doctor advice varies).
The grain food group includes
corn, wheat, oats, barley, rice
— and things made from these
grains, such as breads,
cereals, and pasta
Meats and meat substitutes
Eggs and all other meat parts

Liver (beef, pork, and
chicken) and liverwurst
•Beef heart
•Soybeans
Fats and oils



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Sweets and desserts
Other: teas, herbs,
supplements
Canola oil
Soybean oil
Fat substitutes (such
as Olestra)
Margarine,
mayonnaise, and
salad dressing made
from canola or
soybean oil
— including beef, pork, turkey,
and chicken — are low in
vitamin K
Other oils are lower in vitamin
K, as are margarines made
from oils other than soybean or
canola oil.
None are rich in vitamin K.
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Green tea, black tea
Tea leaves
Seaweed (often used
in sushi)
Alfalfa
Check with your doctor before
taking any herbs or
supplements.