Gout Diet Tips- Prevention and Management

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling of the big toe; and sometimes the ankle or knee[1].

Gout occurs when there is a high level of uric acid in the blood which causes needle-like crystals to form around a joint.  These crystals are what cause the pain. “Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down a chemical called purine. Purine occurs naturally in your body but it’s also found in certain foods.  Uric acid is eliminated from the body in [your] urine.[2]”

It can be managed with medication and maintaining a balanced healthy diet.  Follow these tips to help manage and prevent another gout occurrence.

Foods to avoid:

-Organ and glandular meats such as, liver, kidney and sweetbreads, which are very high in uric acid.

-Select seafood’s that contain higher amounts of purine, such as, anchovies, sardines, mussels, trout and tuna.

-Alcohol. The metabolism of alcohol is thought to raise the uric acid production.

-Saturated fats

-Sugary foods & refined carbohydrates

Foods to limit:

-Oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ

-Select Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and green peas

-Select proteins: poultry, fish, beans

-Meat soups and broths

Foods to use as desired:

-Coffee. It may help reduce your gout risk, so enjoy as much as you’d like[3].

-Vegetables.

-Fruits, especially Cherries, are shown to reduce gout attacks.

-Vegetable soups and stocks

-Weight loss. A lower calorie diet is always beneficial and the reduction in weight is good for your joints.

-Complex carbohydrates- breads & cereal, rice.

-Water

-Low fat dairy, shown to aid in the excretion of uric acid.

-Nuts & peanut butter

-Soda and tea

For a list of purine levels in the foods you enjoy, click here.

To help you navigate your gout diet, visit our Pinterest page for a few gout friendly recipes.

 

If you are experiencing the symptoms of gout, or have a painful toe, call Dr. Hollander for an evaluation. You don’t need to be uncomfortable anymore! (707) 578-1222.

 

Sarah D.B.

 

 

[1] Gout. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2017, from http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/gout/

[2] Gout diet: What’s allowed, what’s not. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524

[3] Carrera, %. B. (n.d.). 5 Good Foods for Gout. Retrieved March 07, 2017, from http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/gout/articles/low-purine-diet.php