Gout: Changing Your Diet

Overview

Gout is a form of arthritis. It's caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in a joint. It causes sudden attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and stiffness. Gout usually occurs in one joint, especially the big toe. Medicines can help stop a gout attack and prevent future attacks.

Medicines have largely replaced the need to restrict what you eat when you have gout. But making changes in your diet may still help.

To help control gout:

• Limit foods high in purines, especially meat, seafood, and beer.
• Avoid foods and drinks that are made with high-fructose corn syrup.
• Eat low-fat dairy products.
• Drink plenty of water. This can help your body get rid of uric acid.

How to eat to help manage gout

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

• Avoid or limit foods that are high in purines.

  Purines (specific chemical compounds found in some foods) are broken down into uric acid. A diet rich in purines from certain sources can raise uric acid levels in the body, and this can lead to gout.

  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 or poultry in large amounts.
  • Anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, and scallops.
  • Gravy.
  • Alcohol, especially beer.
• Avoid foods and drinks that are made with high-fructose corn syrup.

  These include many soft drinks and processed foods.

• Eat foods that may lower your risk of gout.

  These include:

  • Low-fat or fat-free milk.
  • Low-fat yogurt.
• Drink plenty of water.

  This can help your body get rid of uric acid.

• Avoid eating habits that can raise your uric acid levels.

  For example:

  • Avoid diets that cause rapid weight loss.
  • Avoid alcohol, especially beer and hard liquor such as whiskey and gin.