If you have gout and are trying to eat a healthy diet, it’s important to avoid foods that are high in purines. Purines are substances that increase uric acid levels in the blood. The body breaks down purines into uric acid, which reduces the risk of kidney stones and lowers blood pressure. However, if there is too much uric acid in your system, it can become deposited in the joints and cause gouty arthritis.
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. This condition can cause severe pain and swelling in the joints. The most common areas affected by gout are the big toe and ankle; however, other joints such as fingers, knees and elbows may also be affected (1).
The best way to prevent gout attacks is by keeping your blood levels of uric acid under control through diet and lifestyle changes. Gout is more common among men than women but anyone can develop it — regardless of age or race — if they have high levels of uric acid in their blood (2).
Vegetables to avoid with gout
Asparagus
Beets
Bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage (green)
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery (raw)
Chives (green onions)
Collard greens, kale and mustard greens. These leafy greens contain high amounts of purines and can increase the risk of developing gout. However, cooked collards, kale and mustard greens are safe to eat if you have gout or are trying to prevent it.
Corn (fresh kernels)
Cucumber (pickling cucumber)
Garlic (raw cloves)**not recommended**if you have gout but ok in small amounts
Vegetables to Avoid With Gout
Vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet and can be enjoyed by people with gout. However, there are some vegetables that should be eaten in moderation or avoided altogether because they contain high amounts of purines. These include:
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts
Cauliflower
Kidney beans (raw, mature)
Mushrooms (raw)
Spinach (raw)
The following is a list of foods to avoid with gout:
Red wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages
Vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli and cauliflower
Dairy products, including milk, cheese and yogurt
Processed meats like hot dogs, ham and bologna
Nuts such as walnuts and peanuts
Spices like pepper or cayenne pepper
Foods and drinks to avoid with gout
If you have gout and are looking at a gout diet, it’s important to know which foods you should avoid. Foods high in purines can trigger a flare up of the condition, so it is important to keep an eye on your intake of these foods.
Reducing your intake of these foods can help reduce your risk of flares and other complications associated with gout.
Foods that are high in purines include:
Meat – beef, pork, lamb, game and poultry (eg chicken)
Dairy products – cheese, milk, yoghurt and cream
Seafood – fish (especially mackerel), shellfish (eg oysters), squid and octopus
Some vegetables – spinach, asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms
There are some foods that you should avoid if you have gout. These include:
alcoholic beverages, such as beer and wine
sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and fruit juice
fried foods, such as French fries and fried chicken
processed meats like hot dogs and pepperoni pizza
red meat (beef, pork, lamb)
dairy products (milk, cheese)