Gout is a common form of arthritis, or an extremely painful inflammation of the joints caused by a buildup of needle sharp uric acid crystals. A gout attack can last for days or even months with the big toe being the most common target. Like other forms of arthritis, the risk for gout increases as we get older. Men and obese people are of greater risk as are post menopausal women. Similarly, pre existing conditions like diabetes and kidney disease also increase the risk of gout.
If you’re prone to gout, the food that you eat and don’t eat play an important role in keeping your joints free from pain. Listed below are eight foods that you need to avoid.
Scallops
Cut back on seafood and meat during a flare up. These kind of foods are rich in purines, which your body breaks down into uric acid. You have a little more freedom in your food choices when your gout is at bay, but it’s still a good idea to keep meat and seafood intake to a minimum.
Herring
Whereas some types of seafood can be eaten once in a while, others like herring, tuna, and anchovies, should be totally off the menu for those who have gout. However, shrimp, lobster, eel, and crab are relatively safe.
Beer
Drinking beer is a double whammy for gout prone folks. Not only does it increase your uric acid level, beer also makes it more difficult for your body to clear this substance from your system.
Turkey
Turkey and goose are higher in purines than other types of food, so it’s best to avoid them. And gout prone people should also keep their intake of wild game to a minimum. Chicken and duck are the safest choices.
Red meat
When it comes to purine content, white meat is generally better than red. but still, it’s okay to eat some types of red meat once in a while. You’re a bit better off if your occasional indulgence is beef rather than turkey or lamb. And lamb chops are a better choice than leg meat.
Sugary drinks
Avoid beverages sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, such as sodas or “fruit” drinks. Consuming these drinks isn’t just an easy way to pack on a kilo or two, the sweeteners will stimulate the body to produce more uric acid.
Asparagus
Asparagus, spinach, and mushrooms are higher in purines than other vegetables and at one time, experts thought people with gout should avoid them totally. Now, that thinking is changing. If you like these foods, there’s no reason to avoid them completely. Certainly you wouldn’t want to go wild with these high-purine vegetables. A veggie rich diets actually help you clear purines from the body, and the body seems to have an easier time excreting purines from vegetable sources.
Liver
Organ meats such as liver, kidneys, and sweetbreads are a big no no for a gout prone individual, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
What Is There Left To Eat?
There are actually several types of foods that may help protect you against gout. These include low fat dairy foods, whole grains, coffee, and fruits, especially citrus fruits. You should also be sure to get 12 to 16 cups of fluid daily. You don’t necessarily have to drink only water (although water is the best), you can choose non-sweetened juice, tea, and coffee too. Any kind of fluid that keeps that blood flowing and urine flowing is a good choice.
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