How can my husband lose the weight he’s gained since starting Coumadin (warfarin)?

My husband had Aortic Valve Replacement 10-11-05 at the age of 27. He has a St. Jude Mechanical Valve - therefore he is on Coumadin and of course has to have his INR checked regularly. He is very concerned about his weight. He gained about 25 - 30 pounds after the surgery. He has maintained that weight since the surgery but he would like to lose it.

I have no idea what to do for him - or what he can do for himself. I have to cook for 3 boys, my husband and myself, so it is difficult to know what to prepare that won't cost an arm and a leg! I don't fry foods, and most everything I cook is prepared with low-fat, low cholesterol items. He still doesn't lose weight, and I wonder if it is due to the medications he is on.

The Health meets Food Team Says...

The key to your husband's weight loss, as with all weight loss, is a matter of eating fewer calories and burning more.

Folks who are taking Coumadin (warfarin) can feel that this is a challenge because they believe that they are limited in what they can eat. In truth, there are very few ingredients that are an issue by themselves. The key is to aim for a consistent daily level of Vitamin K in one's diet. I recommend that people aim for between 76mcg and 80mcg per day - about the USRDA. (See more about "The Right Level of Vitamin K.")

Every recipe on the website is labeled in the Nutrition Information with the amount of Vitamin K in each serving. With that and looking up the amount of Vitamin K in other, individual ingredients using the USDA Food Composition Database (under Full Report), it's pretty easy to keep track of one's daily Vitamin K intake. Note that planning is key!

Thanks for writing,

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