Gout is a chronic disorder that can significantly decrease your quality of life. It affects relationships, work and sleep habits, as well as overall health.

Thankfully, there are foods that can reduce your risk of gout flare-ups and enhance overall wellbeing. A successful gout diet restricts purines which break down into uric acid in the body while providing essential nutrients.

Avoiding High Purine Foods

Gout often requires people to avoid certain foods high in purines. This is because too much consumption of such items can increase uric acid levels in the blood, increasing the risk of crystal formations forming within joints and initiating a gout attack.

In addition to avoiding the above-listed foods, a gout-friendly diet should also include green leafy vegetables, plenty of fruit and low-fat dairy products. These are essential for maintaining good health as they reduce the risk for other medical issues like diabetes or heart disease.

Additionally, it is advised to limit the consumption of fatty red meats, offal, seafood, poultry, yeast products and dried legumes. Alcohol should also be avoided in moderation – particularly beer and hard liquor.

Avoiding High Alcohol Intake

Gout sufferers are advised to limit alcohol intake, as it can increase uric acid levels. A moderate amount of wine is safe for those with gout; however, beer and liquor should be avoided altogether.

Foods high in purines can increase the likelihood of a gout attack, such as red meat, organ meats and seafood.

These foods contain purines that lead to the buildup of urate crystals in joints, leading to chronic acute inflammation and gout attacks. A plant-based diet can be an effective way to reduce this risk since it provides various anti-inflammatory nutrients that help the body manage persistent acute inflammation.

It is also essential to reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and fruit juice, which often contain fructose. Fructose can actually increase uric acid production in your body.

Avoiding High Sugar Intake

Sugar consumption has been linked to gout, leading to an increase in uric acid levels. Therefore, it’s essential to steer clear of foods high in sugar such as sweetened beverages, cereals, desserts and candies.

Fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids, which help to lower uric acid levels. Examples include cherries, berries, strawberries and oranges.

Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C. Eating enough of this vital nutrient can help reduce uric acid in your system, thus helping to prevent gout attacks.

Eating a vegetarian diet is recommended, as it contains fewer purines than meat-based menus. Vegetarians should include various vegetables and fruits along with low-fat dairy products, nuts, haricot beans and other plant-based sources of protein in their meals.

Avoiding High Fat Intake

High fat consumption can aggravate gout, as it increases the level of uric acid in your body. To lower your risk, cut back on fatty foods such as fried food and greasy meats.

Low-fat dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream are beneficial for those suffering from gout since they contain low purine levels. Furthermore, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help lower uric acid concentrations.

Reduce your consumption of red meat (beef, pork and lamb), fatty fish and seafood (tuna, shrimp, lobster and scallops) since these all contain high levels of purines. If you must eat meat, opt for leaner cuts and limit yourself to 4 to 6 ounces (113 to 170 grams) per day.

Additionally, steer clear of sugary drinks like sodas and sweetened juices. The fructose found in these foods may increase uric acid concentrations and insulin resistance, making it harder to manage gout symptoms.