It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.
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Ask Dr. Gourmet
Are avocados safe for those on Coumadin (warfarin)?
I love all green vegetables and especially avocados. I am on Coumadin (warfarin). I am hearing conflicting reports on my being able to eat avocados. I love avocado sandwiches and would eat them every day and give up meat altogether. Do I have to give them up? I am already feeling deprived of all my green foods.
Dr. Gourmet Says...
Avocados are really good for you. While they do have a lot of calories and are high in fat we know that the monounsaturated fats are really good for you. They do contain a moderate amount of Vitamin K, however. A half cup of slices (about 3 ounces) will have 15 micrograms (mcg) of Vitamin K. That's a reasonable amount of Vitamin K. Note that most of the 117 calories in that half cup is from fat at about 100 calories with a whopping 7 grams of monounsaturated fat.
You can find out more about avocados on the Dr. Gourmet web site.
Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet