Gout: Changing your diet
How to eat to help control your gout
There are several things you can do as part of an eating plan for gout.
- Avoid or limit foods that are very high in purines, especially during a gout attack. These foods include:
- Organ meats, such as liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, and brains.
- Meats, including bacon, beef, pork, and lamb.
- Game meats.
- Any other meats in large amounts.
- Anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, and scallops.
- Gravy.
- Legumes, such as dried beans and dried peas.
- Beer.
- Eat foods that may lower your risk of gout.1, 2 These include:
- Low-fat or skim milk.
- Low-fat yogurt.
- Tofu.
- Choose healthy foods. These foods include:
- A wide range of fruits and vegetables.
- Eggs, beans, nuts, and seeds for protein.
- Small amounts of meat. Limit your serving size to 2 to 3 ounces.
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids. This can help your body get rid of uric acid.
- Avoid eating habits that can raise your uric acid levels. For example:
- Avoid crash diets and low-carbohydrate diets.
- Do not eat too much food or drink too much alcohol.
- Do not take large amounts of vitamin C.
- Avoid alcohol.
You can use the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Guide or the Food Guide Pyramid to help you make a healthy eating plan.
Test Your Knowledge
On a low-purine diet, you can include fruits and vegetables.
Eating low-fat or skim milk and low-fat yogurt may help lower your risk of gout.
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| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: July 24, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology | |
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