Gout Diet

High levels of uric acid can cause gout. High purine foods in a diet can increase uric acid levels in the body. Therefore, the gout diet usually limits food with high purine.

Gout Diet / Low Purine Diet

Alcohol, especially beer, should be avoided. Limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink 3 times a week.

Drink 2 to 3 L of fluid daily. Adequate fluid intake helps dilute urinary uric acid. Avoid High-Purine foods (see below)

Consume a moderate amount of protein. Limit meat, fish and poultry to 4 - 6 oz per day. Try other low-purine good protein foods such as low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.

Limit fat intake by choosing leaner meats, foods prepared with less oils and lower fat dairy products.

Avoid High-Purine foods

• Sweetbreads
• Anchovies
• Sardines
• Liver
• Beef kidneys
• Brains
• Meat extracts (e.g Oxo, Bovril)
• Herring
• Mackerel
• Scallops
• Game meats
• Gravy

Use in Moderation

• Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and green peas
• Lentils, dried peas and beans
• Beef, pork, poultry, fish and seafood
• Oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ

Aside from avoiding high purine foods, maintaining a healthy body weight is important for gout patients as well. Obesity can result in increased uric acid production by the body. Follow a well-balanced diet to lose excess body weight. Do not follow a high-protein low-carb diet as this can worsen gout conditions.