8 Foods to Avoid with Gout
87Gout is an incredibly painful disease. Seeing how this ailment is mostly caused by diet, it makes sense to figure out the foods that cause gout. Hyperuricemia (the medical term for gout) occurs when the body is either unable to process purines or is overwhelmed with purines that turn into uric acid crystals. These crystals usually form in joints, initially the ankle or toe and if the disease continues to be a problem for an individual, the disease can spread to other joints.
Knowing purines are a major factor in setting the stage for an attack, it only makes sense that if we can reduce our intake of high purine foods we can lessen our chances of getting a gout attack. For the most part, many purine foods are unhealthy and by eating a healthy diet such as cherries for gout, we can not only help prevent gouty symptoms we can also help prevent long term obesity, a common trait among gout patients.
There is more to this than simply eating healthy, however. While many purine foods are unhealthy, unfortunately, there are a few that are healthy. It is almost impossible to totally avoid purine foods, so eat them in moderation. Too much of a good tasting thing can be bad for you.
Another thing to note is that some people can eat certain purine foods and not be affected, while other foods can lead to terrible pain once an attack occurs. This list is mostly to make you aware of foods with purine content. You will have to test out some of them for yourselves. If these foods are a main part of your diet and you are having a problem, you may want to eliminate certain of these foods and see which ones are causing your attacks and trade them in for foods that are great treatments for gout instead.
Having said that, here is a list of 8 foods that you should avoid eating if you have gout.
List of Foods to Avoid with Gout
1. Turkey- Turkey is one of the healthy foods that can cause gout. Turkey has moderate to high levels of purines. Personally, turkey gives me very bad attacks. I only eat small amounts during Thanksgiving and Christmas and avoid it the rest of the year. One time our local grocery store had a great sale on turkey, so we bought one and had turkey for a week. I paid dearly with a weeks worth of agonizing pain. I have friends though who have no problem eating turkey, but can't eat other purine foods. As with all these foods if you are going to test them out, do it moderately.
2. Chicken
Chicken has moderate levels of purines. This food is dependent on the person. I have friends who cannot even sniff chicken without getting a gout attack. I have always been able to eat as much chicken as I want without any problems.
If you are going to eat chicken, try to stay with the lean white meat. There is less purines in the better quality of the meat. You should probably avoid processed chicken foods such as chicken based hot dogs or chicken made from by-products. These will have higher levels of purines.
3. Beer and Gout
Beer is one of the major foods to avoid with gout. Most people with this disease who drink are unaware that beer has up to eight times the amount of purines versus the amount of alcohol. You are asking for pain if you drink this beverage regularly.
I am a paramedic by trade and I cannot begin to tell you how many long term alcoholics I see with gout symptoms. Most of them don't treat it properly and have tophi, which look like whitish lumps on their knuckles, ears, and toes. These are signs of high uric acid levels and signs of chronic gout attacks. They also sometimes have deformed joints from the effects of all the attacks they've had in the past.
4. Should you avoid beef with gout
Probably. Depending on what part of the cow you are eating, it can contain high levels of purines. If you just have to have meat, try avoiding hamburgers unless it is high quality meat. The lower quality portions are what contain the highest levels of purines.
Again, as with all these foods, everyone is different. If you are on drugs or natural remedies for gout designed to treat this condition, you may be able to eat beef more often than without the drugs or remedies, but you should only eat in moderation.
5. Can Venison cause Gout?
yes, it can! Venison has very high purine levels. It is even higher than beef. I found this out the hard way. I was unaware that venison causes gout and I used it as a replacement for beef. I hadn't had beef type meat in a couple years at the time and my family and I ate venison steak, venison sausage, venison burgers, etc. A week later the pain began. It lasted a month! I almost always try to cure gout naturally, but to no avail. Even Indocin didn't work. I had to get a cortisone shot to end the pain.
If you are into hunting, I'd like to make you aware that most game foods are high in purines. Squirrel, rabbit, pheasant, grouse, and venison. Hunting is very popular in the area I live in, but I don't even bother. Not because I'm against hunting, but because I can't eat it.
6. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are definitely one of the foods to avoid with gout. Hot dogs are one of the reasons people get attacks after summer holidays. They overdo it on the barbecue and eat too many hot dogs and 2-5 days later, they wake up in the middle of the night with an attack. It doesn't matter what type of meat the frankfurter is made from, whether turkey, chicken, or beef, you can still get an attack if you eat too many.
As we've already seen turkey, chicken, and beef all have moderate or high levels of purines. That alone should be enough to cross hot dogs off the "to eat" list. However, another reason is certain parts of the animal contain higher levels of purines than others. Most hot dogs you buy in a grocery store are made from the left overs. It's the left overs- the organs and by-products that have the higher levels of purines. Sausage can also be lumped into this category. Every food is different, but I personally have had less problems with sausage than with hot dogs, not sure why, your results may vary.
7. Shellfish
Shellfish such as crab and lobster are very high in purine content. You should avoid these foods. Fortunately, they tend to be on the more expensive side to purchase so while they should be on the restricted list, most people can't afford to eat them regularly. Shrimp is another seafood that is also high purine levels.
8. Fish to Avoid with Gout
For the most part, fish is okay to eat and a very healthy part of your diet. Again, diet plays such a huge role in how to prevent gout. As for fish that causes gout, stay away from anchovies, sardines, mackeral, salmon, and trout. These vary from moderate to high purines. There are still plenty of fish you can eat that are low in purines such as whitefish, perch, and walleye.
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foods to avoid with gout questions/commentsLoading...
thanks for stopping by, edgardo. I hope you get a handle on the gout pain! Diet plays a huge part. I was surprised at salmon and at venison. They both are otherwise very healthy foods.
Good information ! Thank you !
i like this pieces of information, ' hoping for more articles regarding health.
I HAVE BAD GOUT ATTACKS AND END UP GETTING MY KNEES DRAINNED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHICH IS PAINFUL BUT NECESSERY,I HAVE TAKEN THE GOUT MEDS LIKE COLCHICINE BUT IT MADE ME FEEL SICK SO I ASKED MY DOCTOR WHY ISNT THERE OTHER MEDS OUT THERE FOR GOUTTHAT DONT HAVE THE SIDE EFFECTS AND HE GAVE ME ULORIC A NEW GOUT DRUG WHICH SEEMS TO BE WORKING BUT IM STILL WORRIED ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS I CANT FEEL AT THIS TIME,BUT IT HAS DROPPED MY URIC LEVELS.
I have suffered for nearly 30 years with gout. I have conditioned myself to identify "good foods and bad foods" that I can eat, however I have never had any problems with turkey and chicken and recommend both on my blog. As a rule I stay away from dark colored fish (salmon tuna species, etc) and go for the white meat fish. I limit my beef and absolutely NO pork (the worst meat for gout). You're right about the beer....and I love beer, but will be crippled the next day if I have some. Keep in mind that the older you get, the harder it is to keep under control! Good luck!
I was watching the Food Network tonight, mainly the preparations of Thanksgiving dinner, and I began thinking about your blog. You said that turkey was bad for gout, are you eating the dark meat or the white meat? The dark meat is high in purines while the white meat is not. Also, in the course of the holiday meal, are you consuming dressing or gravy made with giblets? The giblets are a big no-no to a gout sufferer, as are green beans (green bean casserole), and the other dark veggies such as asparagus, peas, spinach, etc.
Interesting comments!! I've suffered gout attacks for almost 20 years now and the best advise I can give is quickly deal with the situation. I have indocin for gout attacks and I've found that it is of the utmost importance to take the indocin at the very first sign of a gout attack. Even if a joint feels tingly or strange and you're not absolutely sure it's the real deal - Take your indocin! If you nip it in the bud the attack will be much less severe and will quickly fade. The worst attacks I ever had is when I had a flare up and didn't have access to my indocin. The indocin doesn't work as well when the flare is up is full tilt boogie! Hope this helps anyone out there who has this awful affliction!!
Dan
I'm 19 and not overwieght.. And I got gout it was very painful though I do admit that my diet is not very healthy..
Thanks to all for the comments. Sorry I have not replied earlier. I've been offline the past few months taking care of my wife. She has been very ill, but it slowly getting better.
@badegg-I eat white meat only on the turkey. Still gets me. I really think turkey is one of those person dependent foods, as well as chicken. I know people eat turkey with no ill effects and others who pay, like myself. I can eat chicken while my one friend pays dearly for eating chicken. Good advice on the dark veggies. Thanks for the helpful information.
I have gout right now. This is only the second time and it seems there is a larger list of foods we can't have than ones we can. Oddly enough I am a skinny woman and gout is usually a man or overweight person's disease. My grandmother told me Native American people tend to get it whether male or female so another thing I can thank my ancestors for.
Lots of information, thanks for sharing.
what I need is a list of foods to eat and not to eat so I can putit on my ice box. where I can see it ..Doctor just told me I have grout. i sure need help with this.. Thank Ya .
I just had gout since the past 8 months and recently i had severe attack on the ankle last 2 weeks. Whilst i am medication (colchine, allupurinol), suddenly it attacked me again yesterday and the i have been controlling my diet. After few web surfing, some websitw mentioned that few food needs to be avoided are sardines and cod fish. It is quite surprising to me because i thought fish is not in the list of food to be avoided and i just had both in a row for my dinner. Now i am back in medicatiob again. Huhhhhh....
My father is in his 70s and I see him suffer with the pain of gout his left knee gets hot and swollen it is to the point were he can not walk or bend it. When the weather changes to cold I see him in a lot more pain. It does not matter if you are young if you have gout take care of yourself it is very hard to deal with as you get older seeing your love one going thrpw pain hurts!
Thanks for info, you all ha ve been a great Help .
I am currently taking Allipurinol and that has reduced my attacks, however after reading many posted comments, I will definitely avoid HOT DOGS! I had (2) for dinner last night and I have a swollen knee and can barely walk. In reading other comments, I too cannot take coltracine or Indocin (they both make me sick). My doctor has prescribed a prednesone (steroid)dose pack and that seems to reduce the attack within a day or two. As everyone has noted, you need to take the medication immediately upon flare-up, or it may take 2-3 days of suffering before the pain subsides. Thanks for all the info... Ken
I have gout right now. This is the 2nd time in a month. My feet have hurt for months. But the 2 attacks were yesterday & 3 weeks ago. Dr gave me Colcyrs. Helps a little. I
cant help thinking its because i lost a kidney
To cancer.
Been drinking cherry juice. Dr tomorrow.
Hope it goes away. It is really painful.
ago. ago
This is so frustrating! I don't drink alcohol and I swim every day. I'm 5'7 and weight 150-almost no body fat at all. Virtually none. I don't eat seafood. Now, I have Gout and every time I do research I get conflicting information. Sugary drinks. I do enjoy Hawaiian Ice but it's frequently hot here in Los Angeles. Beans. What is wrong with Beans?
And now I'm out of work for 2 weeks on disability. I don't know what to do.
Wow! After reading this my next question is what CAN I eat? My doctor says stay away from red meat and beans. He says some beans can cause Gout.
He also says everything in moderation.
So, does drinking a LOT of water help someone keep Gout at bay?
Thanks for the valuable info. I can relate to everyone's pain with gout and had two attacks for the past two months. For me, I find that not always getting enough sleep and my diet that always gets me. I was unaware that I've been regularly eating dark meat (i.e. steak, pork and beef) lately and sadly am paying for it now. Also, drinking a plenty of water helps a lot.
I wish you all the best in managing this disease.
I just had a gout attack, not knowing it was one as i had surgery done to my foot- bunion removed. Thinking it is my wound that is causing so much pain, however, there was no redness or pain around the wound to think that it is infection. I read an article that having surgery on your foot especially your toe could also bring on a gout attack. I have a very healthy diet, dont eat red meat or dink red wine. Everything I eat, raw and steamed vegies, fruit (2x day)is in moderation. I still dont understand that I have gout . . . the only thing that I lack is physical exercise. I use to walk 3x a week for 30 minutes but for past 4 months were unable to do so.
I have had severe four attacks all over. Feet, knees, elbows. All I can say is trust alapurinol. Take it everyday. I believe cherry juice helps. STAY HYDRATED!!!! They also say stress can cause attacks. So don't take life to serious. Lol good luck.
Valencia,
I also don't eat seafood or a lot of red meat. I exercise every day from swimming laps, I am not overweight, I don't drink alcohol at all and I also got Gout.
The Indomethacin and Sinsinpas worked wonderfully for me.
Hang in there. I just got over mine.
Also, those heating pads you can throw in the microwave helped me a lot.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE JUST ONCE, A LIST OF FOODS THAT ARE PROACTIVE TO EAT TO DETER GOUT!
I am 65 and have had severe gout off and on for 15 years.I gave up beer, although I can drink liquor,and take one Allopurinol tablet daily with no side effects.I have had no Gout for over a year. My joints have continually improved. I can't even tell I ever had Gout now.
YES OF COURSE
i HAVE A SORE SHIN AND i AM FAIRLY SURE THAT EURIC ACID IS ASSOCIATED WITH IT AS i HAD AN ULSER ON THE BIG TOE ALSO DUE TO COLD FOOT i HAD BEEN EATING ALOT OF OATMEAL PORRIGE BEFORE i GOT THE ULSER ON MY BIG RIGHT TOE
i STARTED TO EAT FOODS WITH LOW PURINES AND i GOT RELIEF FOR A FEW DAYS BUT i STARTED TO TAKE VITIMIN B12 AND i THINK IT'S MAKING THE PAIN WORSE AND MORE NEAR THE KNEE
MY E-MAIL IS butlerfamily@iolfree.ie and any fair comments would be appreciated
Dealing with gout for eight years numerous painful attacks.can't take any scripts which make me sick to my stomach.started taking celery seed extract two in morn 2 in eve.seems to be working well.everyone's different and you have to find out your trigger.if it was up to all these doctors telling you what to eat,I'd have to stick to water and lettuce.that's not a way to live.try the celery extract and at least you can enjoy some of the foods you love.
I am having an attack right now. This happened also exactly a year ago.. Oh my its very painful!!!
pl suggest me which diet i have to taken.... few days before i did test of URIC ACID i shock after watching resut that was 8.06..... please suggest me died as well as medicine for that disiease.......
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN EAT...THANKS FOR ALL THE FOODS TO AVOID..
Thanks for this important info, you all ha ve been a great Help.
Trust Allopurinol, one every day before bed, with half a liter of room temp water.
Eat more celery, brocolli, and grapefruit, mexican nopales will help.
Stay away from those mature and incredible great chesse.
No red meat, no oily fish, no seafood, no beer, no vodka, no lentils, no fava beans, no liver, kidneys, or foie gra, no lamb, no oysters, no lobster, no shrimp, no pork at all?
Ok if the pain goes away i will resign everything, but if after being on celery, cherries and nopales the uric levels are back, ill take the allopurinol for life!
Oh my God,
woke up this morning and couldn't walk or put weight on my left foot.
Doc says it is Gout and prescribed Colchicine and Flucloxacillin.
I am struggling to get around on crutches.
How long does this pain last and will i get it again ?
Looks like I might have to become a Vegan! btw I have been eating canned tart cherries packed in water, can't find any fresh ones at any local grocers. I hope that helps.
so most foods to stay away from also have high protien. Im a 30 yr old male and stay very active and enjoy working out and staying in shape. I do martial arts through to mx riding and everything in between. Found out this right toe killing me is caused by gout. My question is that I've always been led to believe the high importance of protien for muscle growth and recovery so am i able to take a protien supplement if i cant eat these high protien foods? Need all the help i can get I feel so lost with this stupid disease.
My doc put me on prednizone and the symptoms were gone the next day--i am now drinking black cherry concentrate-one tablespoon to one cup of water--daily and this seems to help. I am also told celery seed extract is good for this but have not tried it yet--
Here is a few foods I've found in my case that help:
berries- (cherries, raspberries, strawberries, black berries) fresh or frozen. Purée'd or by themselves.
Low fat dairy like yogurt and sour cream
Juices-make sure they 100% juice NOT from concentrate.
Avocados
Pickle juice- sounds strange, but helps purify your entire bloodstream
this isn't alot but it's what I eat during an attack. I'm 30 and have had gout for 5 years. I've taken pretty much all the above prescriptions and found celebrex help reduce swelling during attacks, and Uloric seems to work the best. Beef, beans, brown gravy and beer tend to trigger my gout. Never had issue with pork, turkey, or chicken. So if your symptoms resemble mine, I hope this helps.
Be careful trying to lose weight guys. When you burn fat, your body releases uric acid into your bloodstream, so find a happy medium and don't over do it.
Need to lose weight so am going gym but this can cause gout, this is crazy
Gout sufferer for about 8 years now and I'm still confused as to what foods to avoid. Does anybody use a uric acid (UA) monitor to keep track of their UA levels daily or after a risky meal?
What is consistently true though is that water does help a lot. UA, like any other crystals develop more easily when the medium it's in (in this case, blood and joints) is dehydrated. So always hydrate and expel the excess UA through the urine. I drink at least 3L of water daily now and it helps tremendously. I drink a cup every hour until I urinate every hour. Then I reduce the frequency to a cup every 2 hours or whenever I feel thirsty. I've also heard that slightly alkaline water is good (because alkaline neutralises acid), but I haven't tried it.
My doctors have also told me that fat tissues store a lot of UA as well, and they've advised me to get to a healthier weight. For some reason, it never occured to me that the UA will be released back into the blood stream, like RC commented above.
So 3 weeks ago, I started exercising again. I was losing like 5lbs a week doing cardio and weight training. I was so excited with the progress I was making that I cut down my carbs to a minimum and doubled my protein (chicken breast) to help me keep the muscle I already have and burn more fat. 10 days later, I paid dearly for it. I was LOSING WEIGHT TOO QUICKLY which was mostly fat (I have a scale that can tell body fat and muscle percentage) and I INCREASED MY INTAKE OF PROTEIN (even though it wasn't normally a trigger). Worst gout attack I ever experienced and I'm still feeling it as of right now, though it's gotten a lot better.
My advice for those of you who are exercising and trying to lose a lot of weight (50lbs or more), forget about weight training and gaining muscle for the time being. Focus on getting to a healthy weight first by doing moderate pace, low impact cardio like brisk-walking, swimming, elliptical machine or cycling. Once you're down, you can then actually see what you're really working with (muscle wise) and then SLOWLY but STEADILY work out to gain or tone the muscle. I now need to restructure my exercise routine and I hope I can start again soon. Been 2 weeks since I did any physical activity and I miss it!
I love sauces, good mushrooms, tea, rare roast beef, asparagus and wine but even limiting these doesn't completely eliminate the gout. This is the best site I've found for help. Am getting over an attack of gout after having blood work that showed that the uric acid was down...significantly...6 weeks ago. I don't want to take medication. And I am old, pushing 80. Thanks to all of you who report your problems.
I have had severe gout attacks in the past year in my big toe. tried cortisone injections that seemed to help for a while. went to a reumatologist and he did blood work to check my uric acid level. It was up to9.0 much to high.... he started me on a regime of 5mg prednisone and 100mg of allopurinal. It has done wonders ...My uric acid is down to 4.o but he wants to make sure all the crystal are out of my joints before he takes me off the prednisone.. I can only thank God that I am out of pain, no attacks at all for the last 6 months.
edgardo p mendoza 2 years ago
those days are gone, i've been suffering almost most of the time, it took half of my strength, i've been in pain and agony when these things showed up, i've never learned my lesson yet. i got to read more what else food to avoid to stop all these pains and sufferings cause my activities are stop short , i used to be an athletic person, now i'm just an spectator with a limited body movement. i'm just taking colchicine every time i have severe attack.i'm surprised that i have to stay away eating salmon. i have to make more research regarding what to avoid and what is good to prevent gout attack.