Foods to Avoid With Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that is incredibly painful and is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood. The buildup of uric acid can cause crystals to form and then accumulate in the joints leading to this painful condition.

Diet is big when it comes to managing your gout symptoms as following a “gout diet” may help lower the total amount of uric acid in the blood. Avoiding high purine foods is an important part of treating gout as uric acid is produced when the body breaks down the chemical purine. You can find purine naturally in the body, but it is also found in certain foods.

Let’s take a look at the foods to avoid with gout.

List of Foods to Avoid With Gout 

#1 Sugar: Whether you have gout or are just looking to improve your diet, you will want to limit your sugar intake as sugar may make gout worse. This includes sugary foods as well as sugary beverages.

#2 Alcohol: Beer and liquor are common gout triggers, so it is best to avoid these if you have frequent gout attacks.

#3 High-Purine Foods: Foods high in purines such as shellfish, sardines, tuna, anchovies, organ meats, and red meat should be limited. High-purine vegetables such as asparagus and spinach have not, however, been shown to increase the risk of gout attacks. (2)

#4 Inflammatory Foods: Inflammatory foods like fried, processed, or anything artificial should be avoided. Since gout is an inflammatory condition, getting the total inflammation in your body under control is a huge part of controlling flare-ups and symptoms. You will want to steer clear of fast foods, anything that is processed and comes from a box, and damaged fats like trans and hydrogenated fats. Instead, focus on eating as many anti-inflammatory foods as possible like fresh fruits and veggies.

The Bottom Line 

Gout can be extremely painful, and if you are having recurrent gout attacks, it may be time to look at your diet to see if something you are eating is triggering your symptoms. Start by reducing your purine-rich foods, staying away from fried and processed foods, limiting sugar, and avoiding alcohol. You may be shocked at how much better you feel overall, and how much easier it is to control gout attacks when you are eating a healthy and well-balanced diet full of nutrient-dense anti-inflammatory foods.

About The Author

Rebecca Jacobs N.C is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, specializing in digestive and women’s health. She doesn’t believe in dieting but rather making lifestyle changes, and believes that healthy eating must be delicious. Rebecca is also a recipe developer and creates healthier alternatives to traditionally unhealthy foods.