Half and half in coffee?

[DachsieMom]

Okay, so I a little over three weeks post op. Since about 2 weeks post op, I have had decaf coffee with half and half. Someone mentioned today that I am not supposed to have half and half.??? The only diet restriction of which I am aware is greens due to Coumadin. I have eaten ice cream, macaroni and cheese, baked ziti and all other manner of foods since coming home. I do not recall receiving any other diet restrictions. I have a mechanical valve, and am young (42). Do I need to cut out the half and half and worry about fats? Thank you!

 

[Boomanchu]

I had a mechanical mitral valve placed AND one bypass graft so the low fat "heart healthy diet" was pushed mostly for the preservation of my graft but I think it's prudent to be a bit more vigilant about diet now that we've had valve surgery. Just makes sense to take extra good care of the ticker now. I've always loved good healthy food but did have some vices when it came to food. I found a vanilla flavored fat free creamer and got hooked on it......I always had my coffee black but I LOVE this stuff and it's fat free. It isn't horrible to make some substitutions. Even if you didn't have any blockage issues it's probably a good idea to stay away from that table at all costs. Actually the greens aren't restricted, just try to be consistent so your coumadin can be dosed without too much work. Low fat yogurt, low fat cheeses and low fat or fat free creamers are easy but nobody gets their hands on my damn baked ziti.

 

[dick0236]

I have used "half & half" in coffee, as well as other foods, ever since my surgery with no problem.

 

[MrsBray]

I'd be lost without half n half! Well, not really. I've gotten used to 1% milk, and I'm a big fan of almond milk too. I like what the guy above me says...." on warfarin ACT since surgery with no diet, lifestyle, or activity restrictions."

 

[Freddie]

Enjoy your half n half!

 

[gregjohnsondsm]

During cardio therapy I talked to a dietician and they were stuck in the 80's. No egg yolks fats salt etc. basically the American heart ass diet. I think the re is much more and better information out there. And be aware that fat free isn't always better. There is some concern that the 'free' part isn't really free. The chemicals used to make the sweet taste might be a concern. So I have tried to stay non processed as much as I can.

 

[tom in MO]

...The only diet restriction of which I am aware is greens due to Coumadin...

There is no dietary restriction for coumadin either.. Eat your greens as well. Restricting green food is the old fashioned way. Now it's "dose the diet; not diet the dose." I eat all the greens I want and my coumadin dose has been stable for a long time and my INR is a narrow range 2-2.5.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Enjoy your half n half!

Yup, what Freddie said!~ Enjoy!
Seriously... on a daily basis, it's not like you are drinking a quart of Half and Half.

 

[epstns]

Seriously... on a daily basis, it's not like you are drinking a quart of Half and Half.

Are you? I would only see an issue in half and half if you drink your coffee "Boston style." Around here that would be half coffee and half cream. If you use a "normal" amount of half and half, it is probably about like drinking a half glass of milk - why worry?

 

[cldlhd]

I ate pretty healthy before my surgery and probably a little better after but I still like to treat myself occasionally. This time of year ice cream springs to mind. I tried switching to 1 % but it turns out they will have to pry the half and half out of my cold dead fingers ( hopefully later rather than sooner ).

 

[Eva]

There is no dietary restriction for coumadin either.. Eat your greens as well. Restricting green food is the old fashioned way. Now it's "dose the diet; not diet the dose." I eat all the greens I want and my coumadin dose has been stable for a long time and my INR is a narrow range 2-2.5.

I, and all of us here, totally agree! Green is an essential supplement we all need. I try to be consistent, but there are days when I splurge on green food...spinach, tabbouleh full of parsley, etc. Then I increase my dose minorly!

Enjoy your coffe with 'half and half'! Fat is not bad in moderation! I add half a cup of regular 1% milk to my coffe or tea!

 

[DachsieMom]

Thanks everyone! I decided to keep using half and half. Still on decaf coffee but will discuss that at my post op next week. I haven't made any other dietary changes.

 

[epstns]

I switched to decaf coffee some years ago for a non-heart reason. I found that I can actually enjoy decaf just as much as the "high-octane" variety. A good coffee bean is a good coffee bean, with or without caffeine. Yes, it is more difficult to find good decaf, especially at restaurants, but it is possible. I blend my own favorite varieties and brew mine both at home and at work. After thoroughly de-caffeinating myself, I chose not to go back. I also found that I no longer have caffeine-withdrawal headaches on the weekends.

P.S. If you are a $tarbucks aficionado, we can't help you. . .