Foods That Are Low in Vitamin K

There are many foods that are low in vitamin K. According to NutritionData.com, there are over 1000 foods that have no vitamin K in them at all. All food groups offer foods that are low in vitamin K, including grains, fruits and vegetables and meats. A low vitamin K diet can be important for those taking anti-clotting medications because vitamin K is partially responsible for blood clotting.

Significance

According to Medline Plus, the body needs vitamin K because it is necessary in blood clotting, which ensures that we do not lose too much blood when we cut or injure ourselves. However, vitamin K came under controversy when a BMJ study showed that synthetic forms of it issued to babies to prevent vitamin K deficiency can be toxic and potentially cause childhood leukemia.

Breakfast Cereals

According to NutritionData.com, many breakfast cereals do not have vitamin K. Some of these cereals include Malt-O-Meal's Corn Flakes, Crispy Rice, Corn Bursts; Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Cocoa Krispies, Rice Krispies, Fruit Loops, Corn Pops, Frosted Flakes, and Special K; Quaker's Puffed Rice, Honey Crunch Wheat Germ, Corn Grits and Honey Graham Oh!s; General Mills' Total Corn Flakes, Cap'n Crunch; and Post's Honey Bunches of Oats. Cream of Wheat, Cream of Rice and Nestum also have no vitamin K. Of course, this list is not exhaustive of all the breakfast cereals that don't have vitamin K.

Ethnic Foods

According to NutritionData.com, there are 30 ethnic foods that have no vitamin K. Apache acorn stew, Navajo Chilchen, caribou and salmon with the skin has no vitamin K. Halibut with the skin also has no vitamin K, and neither does shellfish, Apache frybread and mush. Bearded seal, beluga whale and spotted seal oils have no vitamin K. Blue, white, and yellow cornmeal has no vitamin K. In general, many ethnic foods that aren't leafy green vegetables are low in vitamin K.

Recommendations

According to Medline Plus, children 1-3 years old require 30 micrograms of vitamin K each day. For children 4-8 years old, the recommended level of vitamin K each day is 55 micrograms. For children 9-18 years old, the recommended level of vitamin K each day is 60-75 micrograms. The AI of vitamin K for male adults age 19+ years old is 120 micrograms and for women that age, the recommended amount is 90 micrograms per day.

Sources

Natural forms of vitamin K (vitamin K1 and vitamin K2) cannot be toxic. The synthetic forms, specifically vitamin K3, can be toxic. The natural form of vitamin K is found in many different foods, primarily in leafy green vegetables and fruits. According to NutritionData.com, raw amaranth leaves, parsley and Swiss chard have the most vitamin K per 200 calorie serving. Kale, watercress, spinach, basil and greens are also very high in vitamin K. High vitamin K fruits include kiwis, blackberries, blueberries and plums.

Fruit and vegetable sources without vitamin K include corn, mushrooms, palm hearts and most citrus fruits,