Foods To Avoid With Gout
Foods to avoid with gout include any foods which are high in a natural chemical called purines, which are naturally produced by the body as well. This includes most meats, especially beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, as these meats are very high in purines. Purines are turned into uric acid by your body, and a high level of this in your bloodstream causes sharp crystals to form in your joints and other affected areas. This causes a gout attack to happen, and the pain and swelling which occurs during these attacks is excruciating. Swelling can limit your movement, or eliminate moving at all. Meat from game should also be avoided, including venison, bear, elk, and all other game animals, because these meats are also high in purines. Organ meats like kidney and liver, among others, should be eliminated out of your diet, and so should gravies and processed meats.
Avoid Food With High Purine Levels
Foods to avoid with gout also include many shellfish and seafood options. Fish including mackerel, sardines, anchovies, herring, trout, haddock, codfish, any fish roe, and others should be avoided by anyone who suffers from gout. If you must have a small portion of these fish remove the skin to reduce the level of purines. Other seafood which can trigger a gout attack are shrimp, scallops, mussels, and other shellfish. Alcohol is another big trigger for gout attacks, and these products should be avoided completely. This includes all wines, beers, and other types of spirits. Chocolate, coffee, and other caffeine containing foods and beverages should not be consumed Caffeine causes an increase in uric acid in the bloodstream, but it also causes water in your system to be eliminated, leaving you dehydrated, with a higher blood uric acid level because you are dehydrated.
Foods to avoid with gout also include many beans, peas, and lentils. Mushrooms, cauliflower, and asparagus are vegetables which contain high amounts of purines, so these vegetables should also be left out of your diet. By avoiding all of these foods, and including foods which lower uric acid in your diet, you can live free from gout symptoms and attacks, minimizing the pain and inflammation and keeping attacks away.