The Gout Diet

If you've been following this series on gout, you know that there are dietary modifications that can be made to prevent recurrence of gout flare-ups. Yesterday, it was mentioned that coffee, vitamin C supplementation, and cherries and other dark colored fruits seem to help keep uric acid levels in check.
I know it's hard to believe--but there are even more dietary measures that can be used to help control gout.  There is actually a gout diet, and here are some highlights as suggested by the Mayo Clinic:

To follow the diet:

~Restrict intake of meat, poultry and fish. Animal proteins are high in purine. Avoid or severely limit high-purine foods, such as organ meats, herring, anchovies and mackerel. Red meat (beef, pork and lamb), fatty fish and seafood (tuna, shrimp, lobster and scallops) are associated with increased risk of gout. Because all meat, poultry and fish contain purines, limit your intake to 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams) daily.

~Cut back on fat. Saturated fat lowers the body's ability to eliminate uric acid. Opt for plant-based protein, such as beans and legumes.  These types of proteins, along with low-fat or fat-free dairy products will help you cut down the amount of saturated fat in your diet. High-fat meals also contribute to obesity..and obesity is linked to gout.

~Limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol interferes with the elimination of uric acid from your body. Drinking beer, in particular, has been linked to gout attacks.During  an attack, avoid all alcohol. However, when you're not having an attack, drinking one or two 5-ounce servings per day of wine is not likely to increase your risk.

~Limit or avoid foods sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. Fructose is the only carbohydrate known to increase uric acid. It is best to avoid beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, such as soft drinks or juice drinks. Juices that are 100 percent fruit juice do not seem to stimulate uric acid production as much.

~Choose complex carbohydrates. Eat more whole grains and fruits and vegetables while restricting intake of refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, cakes and candy.

~Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water. Fluids can help flush uric acid from your body. Aim for 8 to 16 glasses a day. A glass is 8 ounces (237 milliliter). There's also some evidence that drinking four to six cups of coffee a day lowers gout risk in men.

A sample menu

Here's a look at what you might eat during a typical day on a gout diet:

Breakfast

Whole-grain, unsweetened cereal with skim or low-fat milk, topped with fresh fruit

Whole-wheat toast with trans-free margarine

100 percent fruit juice

Coffee

Lunch

Lean meat, poultry or fish (2 to 3 ounces) sandwich on whole-wheat bread, with lettuce, tomato and low-fat spread

Carrot and celery sticks, side salad or vegetable soup

Fresh fruit, such as apple, orange or pear

Skim or low-fat milk

Dinner

Baked or roasted chicken (2 to 3 ounces)

Steamed vegetables

Baked potato with low-fat sour cream

Green salad with tomatoes and low-fat dressing

Fresh fruit, such as berries or melon

Nonalcoholic beverage, such as water or tea

Snacks can be added to this menu as long as you make healthy choices — such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and occasional nuts — and you are at a healthy weight or stay within your calorie limit.

If you are interested in reading more about the Gout Diet, there are a number of books available.
Here is a link books on this topic at Amazon.




Sources: MayoClinic,Amazon,Wikimedia