Gout Diet

When you have been diagnosed with gout, it is important to make changes to your diet. The gout diet will ensure you lead a healthy and less painful life. Gout is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that causes painful inflammation when sharp crystallized pieces of uric acid gather between joints. Foods that contain purines are broken down into uric acid through a process within the body. Normally, this chemical is flushed out of the bloodstream by the kidneys. When the body has collected a high level of purines, gout arises. Foods, such as beans and vegetables possess a high level of purines. Proteins also deliver a high dose of the chemical.

Cherries or cherry juice taken on an empty stomach will go a long way to curing gout



Most of the foods that cause gout also contain a high amount of fat, such as dairy products and meat. When you are to follow a gout diet, certain kinds of fish should also be avoided. A dieter should refrain from consuming food items, such as mackerel, mussels, sardines, oysters, as well as scallops. Both red and white meat, such as pork and beef, can also cause a collection of uric acid. When suffering from gout, meats that come from organs should not be eaten. This includes kidneys, hearts and liver. A gout sufferer should also be sure to avoid food choices that may produce high levels of uric acid, including caviar, bouillon, as well as beef or chicken broth.

If suffering from gout, you should stay away from dairy products that are high in fat. Whole milk, ice cream, cheese and butter are items that should be crossed off of a grocery list. When dairy is needed, an individual should opt for low-fat options. Soy replacements are also acceptable. When shopping for vegetables, spinach, mushrooms, cauliflower, peas and asparagus possess a high concentration of purines. On a gout diet, you should avoid yeast and lentil beans, which has been proven to increase the effects of this condition. Gout flare-ups may also arise when drinking beer or alcohol because of the yeast and grains presented.

The symptoms of gout can be eased when adhering to a gout diet that a physician may recommend. Sometimes a diet filled with complex carbohydrates, including a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can help. When deciding what foods are acceptable when following the gout diet, you should know that purines can be located within all foods considered a protein, but this does not mean that all proteins should be eliminated from the gout diet. There are some foods that contain a rather high purine concentration, which may not add to the effects of gout. These foods include: whole grain breads and cereals, chicken, duck, ham, turkey, kidney and lima beans.

Foods that should be eaten on the gout diet include fruit, such as bananas, fresh cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and other berries that are red or blue in color. Vegetables, such as celery, tomatoes, kale, cabbage, parsley, as well as other green-leafy vegetables are acceptable. Pineapple and other foods high in bromelain are good for someone on the gout diet. Foods that contain a high amount of vitamin C should be included, such as red cabbage, red bell peppers, tangerines, oranges and potatoes. Additional foods to consider while on the gout diet include chocolate, tuna, salmon, flaxseed, nuts and seeds. When you are looking for something to drink, you should turn to cocoa, coffee, tea and carbonated drinks, to satisfy your thirst.