Gout Purine Diet - Arthritis Help

A gout purine diet contains foods that are low in purine which is a substance that’s normally found in foods and is also produced by the body. When purines are broken down in the body they turn into uric acid, but in gouty arthritis uric acid builds up.  The body may produce too much uric acid or the kidneys are not able to filter the uric acid out through urine so it accumulates.  Rather than taking drugs for gout, you can follow natural gout treatments.

Gout attacks occur when there’s a sudden change in uric acid in the body, but diet isn’t the only thing that can set off an attack.  Other contributing factors are stress, high fructose corn syrup, and alcohol since these increase the production of uric acid.

Following are lists of what to eat and what to avoid if you have gout. Everyone is different so you’ll have to find out what your triggers are, but this is a good starting place.

Gout What Not To Eat

• Anchovies.
• Fish such as sardines, herring and mackerel
• Scallops and mussels
• Goose, duck, and partridge
• Organ meats: brains, heart, kidney, liver, sweetbreads
• Broth, bouillon, and consommé
• Meat gravy
• Yeast supplements - baker’s and brewer’s

Also avoid

• Beer
• Red wine
• HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)

Eat Occasionally (a few times a week, more or less, depending on your symptoms and triggers)

• Fish and shellfish not listed above
• Chicken and turkey  
• Beef, pork, lamb, other red meats
• Dried beans, peas, lentils
• Asparagus
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Cauliflower
• Green peas
• Oats and oatmeal
• Wheat bran and germ
• Whole grain breads and cereals

Low Purine Foods (May eat three or more times per week if desired and depending on your personal symptoms and triggers.)

• Vegetables and vegetable juices not on the lists above
• Fruits and fruit juices
• Breads and cereals that are low in fiber
• Pasta and macaroni
• Rice
• Gelatin
• Cake and cookies (in moderation)
• Fats and oils in small amounts.
• Sugar, syrup, and other sweets in small amounts
• Eggs (limit to 3 to 4 per week).
• Nuts and nut butters
• Low-fat and fat-free cheeses, ice cream and pudding
• Milk: skim or 1% (limit to 3 cups per day)
• Cream-style soups made with low-fat milk
• Soups made without meat extract or broth

Also

• Coffee and tea

Lowest Purine foods (Enjoy as desired, though pay attention to your symptoms. Everyone is different!)

• Pineapple (very good for gout)
• Cherries (very good for gout)
• Celery (very good for gout) 
• Carrots 
• Potatoes (with skin) 
• Lettuce 
• Onion 
• Radishes 
• Apples
•  Pears 
• Rhubarb 
• Tomatoes 
• Cheese – cottage, brie, edam 
• Yogurt 
• Cucumber

Apple Cider Vinegar and Gout
 
Apple cider vinegar is said to be an excellent natural treatment for gout. 

• Make your own salad dressing with olive oil, apple cider vinegar and your favorite herbs. 
• Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and add some stevia for a refreshing drink.  Take this up to three times a day and you’ll also detox your body and help aid digestion as well.

A low purine diet can help keep your gout under control. You don’t have to give up your favorite foods, but do eat more low purine foods and if you must eat a high purine food, be sure to balance it with a very low purine food to help offset any uric acid your body may build up.