Gout Diet: What's Allowed, What's Not

How Diet Affects Gout?

Doctors often recommend a low-purine diet for individuals with high uric acid levels. This condition is called hyperuricaemia and can lead to gout.

Your kidneys typically remove uric acid by filtering it out of your urine. But if you eat too many foods high in purines or your body can't get rid of enough uric acid, your levels go up, and so does your risk of gout. A diet alone won't control gout as effectively as medication, but following a safe diet can still make a significant difference. That being said, remember to consult your doctor regarding the same. Any treatment related costs that may be needed can be covered with health insurance.

What You Can Eat?

A gout diet involves:

• Eating low-fat dairy products (like milk, yoghurt, and skimmed milk), whole grains (like brown rice and whole wheat), most fruits (like cherries, berries, apples, oranges, and guava), vegetables (like broccoli, pumpkin, and spinach in moderation), nuts, peanut butter, healthy oils, potatoes, rice, bread, and pasta.

• Focusing on lean proteins, such as eggs, tofu, and dal, and small amounts of chicken or fish (100–170 g per day). If possible, choose plant-based proteins.

• Consuming 5 to 8 glasses of water every day helps flush uric acid.

• Other foods that may help include skim milk (which can help reduce uric acid levels), cherries (which possess anti-inflammatory properties), and coffee in moderation (which may help lower uric acid levels).

Before you start this diet, seek medical advice on whether this diet will work for you. Your individual health insurance can help you with any costs related to testing or treatment in that regard.

Foods to Avoid

Below is a list of uric acid foods to avoid to help you better manage your condition:

• Organ meats like liver, kidney, pancreas, and brain.

• Red meats like beef, lamb, pork, mutton, and bacon.

• Certain seafoods, such as anchovies, shellfish (including shrimp, mussels, scallops, and lobster), sardines, and tuna.

• Alcoholic drinks made from beer and grains, such as vodka and whisky, raise uric acid levels. Avoid alcohol when you have a flare-up, and limit your drinking at other times.

• Soft drinks, packaged juices, ice cream, candies, and baked goods are high in sugar and may increase the risk of gout.

What to Ask Your Doctor?

Some foods and supplements may help alleviate gout symptoms. Always consult your doctor first, especially if you are on medications or have other underlying health conditions.

• Vitamin C supplements may help lower uric acid levels. Some people may need 500 mg every day, but this isn't always the case.

• Some studies have shown that drinking coffee lowers the risk of gout, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Talk about how much is right for you.

Foods That May Not Raise Gout Risk

Here are some foods that people think cause gout, but don't raise uric acid levels:

• High-purine vegetables, such as green peas, asparagus, and spinach, are safe to eat, unlike purine-rich meats.

• Cherries may help reduce uric acid in your body.

• There is no proven link that tomatoes cause higher uric acid levels.

• Beans and lentils are safe to eat in moderation.

• Low-fat dairy foods can help lower uric acid levels.

Sample Menu for Gout Management

Here is a balanced sample menu for the whole day:

Breakfast:

• Oats with low-fat milk, banana slices, and chia seeds.

• 1 boiled egg or paneer (in moderation).

• Green tea or black coffee (no sugar).

Lunch:

• 2 whole wheat chapatis

• Pumpkin or bottle gourd sabzi

• Moong dal

• Cucumber salad

• Buttermilk

Snack:

• Fresh cherries or apple slices.

• A few walnuts or roasted makhana.

• A small cup of curd or a piece of paneer.

Dinner:

• Brown rice with mixed vegetable khichdi (add a handful of dal or some paneer cubes for protein).

• A bowl of curd.

• Steamed bhindi or sautéed spinach.

Effect of Diet on Gout

Small changes to your diet can help with the following:

• Reduce the number of gout attacks.

• Make attacks less painful.

• Help your joints stay healthy.

Conclusion

Living with gout doesn’t mean you have to live in constant fear of food. Identify your trigger foods, make informed swaps, and cultivate habits that support your body’s natural processes.

You don't need to follow strict diets or count every calorie. Just make wise, consistent choices that work with your schedule. Along with eating a well-balanced diet, regular checkups, taking the right medicine, and having good health insurance can help you feel more in control of your health condition. These steps help protect your joints and enhance your quality of life.

One of the important components of our overall wellness is also being financially secured. Healthcare emergencies can happen any time, but a good health insurance policy can protect you from such uncertain situations. To know more about Wellness and other health related tips, visit the wellness corner.

Sources: webmd.com, clevelandclinic.org, webmd.com, healthline.com

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on August 7, 2025