Uric acid is a natural byproduct of cell activity. Our bodies produce uric acid as a result of the food we eat going through the metabolic process. Each food is associated with a particular uric acid output. People living with gout and certain other medical conditions have to pay close attention to the potential of each food to produce uric acid. Food high in purines, the substance connected with a patient’s uric acid levels, has to be identified and then minimized in order to lower the amount of this particular byproduct. These ten types of problem food should be eliminated from the diet of anyone seeking to lower their uric acid the natural way. When combined with other treatments your doctor or dietitian recommends, a diet free from these foods will help usher you to a new stage of good health.
1. Muffins, croissants, biscuits, and pancakes
High fat bread products might be easy to grab on a busy morning, but their purine level is high enough that anyone seeking to lower their uric acid levels should avoid them. These bread items frequently lack beneficial enriched flour, too.
2. Avocados
Though these fruits contain many nutrients that are beneficial to most people, even the healthy fats inside avocadoes can cause problems for people with high uric acid. Make sure to leave the guacamole off your taco salad for the time being.
3. Whole Milk and Whole Milk Products
Full fat dairy products like whole milk, whole cream, and sour cream should also be eliminated from daily food choices. You can still enjoy the nutritional benefits of dairy products, however. Simply choose reduced fat or skim milk, or yogurt made from reduced fat milk. Limit your dairy intake to two single cup servings a day.
4. High Fat Meat Products
Choosing the right meat can seem like a complex undertaking when trying to naturally lower uric acid concentrations. Even different varieties of the same meat can cause problems depending on the way each one was produced and prepared. A dietitian can help you identify the most problematic meats in your own diet, but in general you should avoid:
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Sweetbreads
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Goose and other fatty poultry
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Fatty game meat
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Kidneys, liver, heart, and brain
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Mincemeat
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Gravies and other meat extracts
Instead of these problematic meats, reach for low fat beef or lamb, pork, low fat poultry, low fat fish, and reduced fat cheese. You can also enjoy nuts and nut products, like peanut butter. Unfortunately, dried beans and peas can be problematic for some people. Limit your servings of these to just two a week unless otherwise directed.
5. High Fat Fish
In general, fish and seafood are low fat options that are safe for people seeking to reduce their purine intake. Some fish are packed in oil, which significantly increases their fat content. Herring, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies are often packed this way and may be served as part of a high fat dish, like pizza. Mussels and certain other shellfish can also be high in fat. Your dietician can provide personalized recommendations.
6. Alcoholic Beverages
Though beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages are not fatty as such, they interact with the body’s metabolic system in a way that produces high levels of uric acid. Eliminating these from your diet entirely is strongly recommended. If you struggle to control your alcohol consumption, your doctor may have suggestions about programs or other strategies that can help you address this concern. Since alcohol is such a major contributing factor to the blood’s uric acid content, eliminating it is one of the best ways to manage gout and related conditions.
7. Baker’s and Brewer’s Yeast
Yeast is one of the major culprits in driving high uric acid concentration. These are used as condiments and additives in some foods; they also play a role in flavor enhancement occasionally. A dietician can explain more about these ingredients and help you identify them in your food.
8. Pies, Cookies, and Cakes
High fat desserts can be an occasional treat for most people, though people struggling to control uric acid levels should eliminate them as much as possible. Homemade desserts and prepackaged dessert foods both contain high levels of fat as well as other problematic ingredients, such as refined flour and lots of sugar. Avoid cookies, donuts, baked deserts, and chocolate, too. That said, there are some desserts that you can still enjoy even while sticking to a low purine diet. Pudding made with reduced fat milk is one option; gelatin is another. Ice milk, frozen yogurt, and sorbet are frozen treats to try. Depending on the ingredients, some candy may also be alright to enjoy occasionally.
9. Cream Soup and Stock Soup
Soup made with meat stock, bouillon or consommé will present the same problems as the meat itself; since stocks and consommés concentrate the meat’s flavors, the fat content can be surprisingly high. Standard stew and soup recipes may have to be adjusted; use vegetable-based broth instead. Soup made with full fat cream and milk will also have to be adjusted. Reach for reduced fat milk when preparing these dishes.
10. Margarine, Butter, Mayonnaise, and Oil
The bit of butter that you spread on your toast in the morning and the oil in your salad dressing may not seem like much on their own, but these dietary choices add up to elevated uric acid. Condiments such as mayonnaise, aioli, and salad dressing all have concentrated amounts of oil; alternatives should be sought. Aim for just three teaspoon size servings of these foods per day. Opt for mustard instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches and prepare salad dressings at home using vinegar and spices.