How to Control Diet When Taking Blood Thinner

When taking blood thinners for a heart condition, you must monitor the International Normalized Ratio (INR) and keep it within a certain clotting range. The amount of food you eat containing Vitamin K is the primary reason the INR fluctuates. Blood tests are required weekly to monthly, depending on test variations, and your medication dosage is adjusted accordingly. Keep a consistent diet to reduce the frequency of blood tests and medication dosage changes.

Instructions

• 1

  Limit your consumption of high Vitamin K vegetables to a few ounces per day. Vegetables that are highest in Vitamin K include spinach, kale, parsley, swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, broccoli and turnip greens. If you want to eat larger amounts, be consistent day-to-day so that a consistent medication dosage can be established.

• 2

  Select vegetables low in Vitamin K such as corn, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, onions, green beans, peppers and tomato.

• 3

  Eat other foods low in Vitamin K, including meats, fruits, grains and dairy.

• 4

  Use oils that are low in Vitamin K such as corn oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil and sesame oil. Canola oil and soybean oil have the highest Vitamin K content.

• 5

  Be aware of how caffeine or alcohol affects the INR test result.