Gout Prevention Diet - Part 2

By Anna Hazard

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Part 1 - Introduction to Gout

Dietary Recommendations

A low purine diet is not a cure for those suffering from gout, yet it may help decrease the levels of uric acid present within the body which may help lower the risk of a flare-up as well as slow down the progression of joint damage with chronic gout. When it comes to a gout prevention diet, a balanced diet that skimps on processed foods and which will help maintain a healthy weight is recommended.

Complex carbs such as fruits and vegetables should be sought out over simple/refined carbohydrates such as pastries, sweetened beverages, and high fructose corn syrup. Saturated fats found in red meat, poultry, oil, butter, mayonnaise, salad dressing, cheese, whole milk, and cream should be kept to a minimum with plant oils such as virgin olive, canola, and sunflower used in their stead.

Most proteins in the diet should come from plants, secondarily from fish, then poultry, and finally red meat (lean meat only, no more than 4 - 6 ounces per day).

High Purine Foods (To be avoided or eaten very sparingly)

• Organ Meats (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, tongue, brain)
• Red Meat (bacon, beef, pork, lamb)
  
• Turkey & Fatty Parts of Poultry
• Game Meats (venison, rabbit)
• Any other meat in excess (limit to 2-3 oz per day)
• High Purine Sea Food (anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, trout, haddock, tuna, codfish and some shellfish such as mussels, scallops, lobster, and shrimp )
• Gravy/Meat Broth
• Alcohol (especially beer & distilled liquors such as whiskey or gin)
• Sugary Sodas (especially with high fructose corn syrup)
• Dried Beans (red bean, mung bean, soybean, black eye peas, lentils)

Medium Purine Foods (To be eaten in moderation & avoided during gout flare-ups)

• Other Fish & Seafood (Not listed as high purine)
  
• Other Shellfish (crab, oysters, clams)
• Grains such as oatmeal, wheat bran & germ, whole wheat bread, brown rice
• Veggies such as mushrooms, green peas, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower
• Lean Meats (beef, pork, lamb)
• Lentils, Kidney & Lima Beans
• Poultry without skin
• Tofu
• Other Alcohol (Not listed as high purine)

Low Purine Foods (To be eaten in place of higher purine foods)

• Other Green Vegetables
• Beans & Potatoes
• Fruits & Fresh Juices
  
• Other Cereal & Grain Products (rice porridge, noodles,
• pasta, white rice, crackers, white bread, cornbread)
• Eggs
• Chocolate/Cocoa
• Tea
• Nuts

Foods that Reduce Purines (To be added to the diet)

• Low/Non-fat Milk & Derivatives (yogurt, cheese)
• Vitamin C (500 to 1,000 milligrams daily)
  
• Coffee
• Cherries or Concentrated Cherry Juice
• Water (8 - 12 glasses to keep hydrated & help excrete uric acid)