Gout: Changing your diet

Purines are chemical compounds that are broken down into uric acid. High levels of uric acid can cause gout attacks.

Most purines are made by the body, but some come from foods. Eating foods that have a lot of purines can raise uric acid levels in the body, which may make your gout worse.

Foods that are high in purines 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.
• Beer.

Test Your Knowledge

1. On a low-purine diet, you can still drink as much beer as you want.

   1. True.

      This answer is incorrect.

      It is important to limit how much beer you drink. Beer can increase the amount of uric acid in your body and bring on sudden attacks of painful, inflamed joints.

   2. False.

      This answer is correct.

      It is important to limit how much beer you drink. Beer can increase the amount of uric acid in your body and bring on sudden attacks of painful, inflamed joints.

Changing what you eat may help control your gout. Eating foods with a lot of fat, such as organ meats, broths, and gravy, can raise uric acid levels. High uric acid levels can cause attacks. You may be able to help control the amount of uric acid in your body by limiting high-purine foods in your diet.

Lowering your uric acid levels may also lower your chances of getting kidney stones.

Eating a healthy diet will help you stay at a healthy weight, which may help lower your risk of having future attacks of gout.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Eating foods low in purines may lower your chances of getting kidney stones.

   1. True.

      This answer is correct.

      Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. You may be able to help control the amount of uric acid in your body by limiting high-purine foods in your diet. Lowering your uric acid levels may also lower your chances of getting kidney stones.

   2. False.

      This answer is incorrect.

      Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. You may be able to help control the amount of uric acid in your body by limiting high-purine foods in your diet. Lowering your uric acid levels may also lower your chances of getting kidney stones.

There are several things you can do as part of an eating plan for gout.

1. Avoid or limit foods that are 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.
   • Beer.
2. Eat foods that may lower your risk of gout.^{1, 2} These include:
   • Low-fat or skim milk.
   • Low-fat yogurt.
3. Choose healthy foods. These foods include:
   • A wide range of fruits and vegetables.
   • Eggs, nuts, and seeds for protein.
   • Small amounts of meat. Limit your serving size to 2 to 3 ounces a day .
4. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. This can help your body get rid of uric acid.
5. 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, especially beer and "spirits" such as whiskey and gin.³

You can use the U.S. Department of Agriculture food guide or MyPyramid to help you make a healthy eating plan.

Test Your Knowledge

1. On a low-purine diet, you can include fruits and vegetables.

   1. True.

      This answer is correct.

      By including fruits, vegetables, and other foods low in purines in your diet, you can help manage your symptoms.

   2. False.

      This answer is incorrect.

      By including fruits, vegetables, and other foods low in purines in your diet, you can help manage your symptoms.

2. Eating low-fat or skim milk and low-fat yogurt may help lower your risk of gout.

   1. True.

      This answer is correct.

      By eating low-fat or nonfat milk and low-fat yogurt, you may help lower your risk of gout and get the nutrition you need.

   2. False.

      This answer is incorrect.

      By eating low-fat or nonfat milk and low-fat yogurt, you may help lower your risk of gout and get the nutrition you need.

If you would like more information on controlling your weight, the following information is available:

• Weight Management
• Fitness

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