Gout: Changing Your Diet

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 aciduric acid. A diet rich in purines from certain sources can raise uric acid levels in the body, and this can lead to goutgout.

  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.