Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in December 2005

High levels of uric acid can cause gout. High purine foods in a diet can increase uric acid levels in the body. Therefore, the gout diet usually limits food with high purine.

Gout Diet / Low Purine Diet

• Alcohol, especially beer, should be avoided. Limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink 3 times a week.
• Drink 2 to 3 L of fluid daily. Adequate fluid intake helps dilute urinary uric acid. Avoid High-Purine foods (see below)
• Consume a moderate amount of protein. Limit meat, fish and poultry to 4 - 6 oz per day. Try other low-purine good protein foods such as low fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.
• Limit fat intake by choosing leaner meats, foods prepared with less oils and lower fat dairy products.
  
  

Avoid High-Purine foods

• Sweetbreads
• Anchovies
• Sardines
• Liver
• Beef kidneys
• Brains
• Meat extracts (e.g Oxo, Bovril)
• Herring
• Mackerel
• Scallops
• Game meats
• Gravy
  
  

Use in Moderation

• Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms and green peas
• Lentils, dried peas and beans
• Beef, pork, poultry, fish and seafood
• Oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ

Aside from avoiding high purine foods, maintaining a healthy body weight is important for gout patients as well. Obesity can result in increased uric acid production by the body. Follow a well-balanced diet to lose excess body weight. Do not follow a high-protein low-carb diet as this can worsen gout conditions.