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
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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.
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Select vegetables low in Vitamin K such as corn, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, onions, green beans, peppers and tomato.
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Eat other foods low in Vitamin K, including meats, fruits, grains and dairy.
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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.
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Be aware of how caffeine or alcohol affects the INR test result.
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Tips & Warnings
Increase consumption of foods with Vitamin K to lower your ratio, if your INR reading is significantly above your target range. This can be an easier solution than continually adjusting medication dosages.
Exercise can affect the INR test result.
