Avoid Eating These 10 Foods if You Have Gout

Are you suffering from painful gouty arthritis? Do you feel your symptoms getting worse with certain foods? Perhaps you’re right! Gout symptoms can trigger from the consumption of certain foods. Dietary patterns can play a significant role in the management of gouty arthritis. So, next time you feel your pain getting worse due to dairy products, stop consuming it immediately!

What Is Gout?

Caption: Normal leg and leg with Inflammatory gout Credits: pixabay

Gout is a complex and one of the oldest known forms of arthritis characterized by pain and swelling. It occurs due to the deposition of uric acid in the joints. Uric acid is a waste product formed from the breakdown of purines. The source of purines comes from our normal diet which we consume daily. Generally, kidneys filter out these waste materials from the body. But, when the kidneys fail to remove excess uric acid from the body then it may start accumulating in the joints, giving rise to gout.

10 Foods To Avoid If You Have Gout

Foods that are a rich source of protein also have higher amounts of purines. Purine rich food produces uric acid crystals inside your body and triggers gout attacks. Foods with moderate or low purines can be consumed to meet the daily requirements of protein but excessive amounts of it should be prohibited. Some foods that should be avoided if you are suffering from Gout include:

1. Seafood

Caption: seafood like shrimp, fish Credits: pixabay

Seafood like shrimps, mussels, sardines, mackerel, crab, and other shellfish should be limited to avoid gout attacks. This is because seafood is considered to be a rich source of protein that when consumed can result in the accumulation of uric acid and Gout.

2. Red Meat

Caption: Red meat Credits: pixabay

Sources of red meat include beef, pork, and lamb which constitute higher levels of saturated fat and are high in protein. Saturated fats and proteins may stimulate the production of inflammatory mediators and may worsen the symptoms of gout.

3. Organ Meat

Caption: Organ meat liver Credits: pixabay

Organ meats are considered to be one of the best contributing factors for Gout. Experts recommend limiting organ meats such as liver, kidneys, and glandular meats which include thymus or pancreas (also known as sweetbreads) for a certain period.

4. Sweetened Food And Beverages

Caption: sweetened food and beverages Credits: pixabay

Sweetened foods and beverages are known to promote obesity. Obesity or excessive body weight creates pressure on the joints and causes pain and swelling. To cut down those excessive fats from the body and find relief from the painful gout, one should avoid intake of carbonated beverages.

5. Refined Sugar And Carbohydrates Rich Diet

Caption: Carbohydrate rich foods Credits: pixabay

Food and food products like white rice, white bread, biscuits, white pasta, and a variety of cakes, enhance the risk of gout. These types of foods are considered to be empty in calories and fibers, which increases the likelihood of obesity. Obesity in turn worsens the symptoms of gout by creating pressure on the joint.

6. Fructose

Caption: Fructose sugar Credits: pixabay

Sweetened drinks and processed fruit juices are loaded with fructose sugar and glucose. These sweetened drinks when consumed can cause an acute rise in the serum uric acid levels and leads to hyperuricemia. This is due to the stimulation of the de novo purine synthesis in the body that elevates the production of uric acid.

7. Dairy Products

Caption: Dairy products like Milk, curd and butter Credits: pixabay

Dairy products contain a protein called casein. Most of the people develop tolerance towards milk and milk products due to casein protein. Casein protein is known to trigger inflammation and results in painful gout by increasing the production of monosodium crystals of urate.

8. Alcohol

Caption: Alcohol Credits: pixabay

Alcohol is known as a common trigger for gout attacks. This is because alcohol consumption can cause the body to prioritize the removal of alcohol over uric acid. This results in the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the body and makes the person prone to gout attacks.

9. Yeast

Caption: Brewer’s yeast Credits: pixabay

Brewer’s yeast, nutritional yeast and other yeast supplements should be avoided in gout because it contains a high amount of purines which gives rise to gout pain.

10. Gluten

Caption: Gluten in wheat dough Credits: pixabay

Gluten found in wheat are insoluble fibers of grains. Many people develop sensitivity due to gluten. Research studies have reported that gluten sensitivity can flare up the gout symptoms.

Bonus: A Delicious Gout-Friendly Quinoa Dosa Recipe

If you are worried about what to eat to prevent yourself from the painful gout attack. Then here is a healthy recipe called “Quinoa Dosa” that will help you in finding relief from your joint pain.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa 1/2 cup idli rice 1/2 cup urad dal 1 tsp fenugreek Salt as per taste

Caption: Quinoa Dosa- a healthy diet for gout Credits: pixabay

Procedure for Recipe:

Soak rice and quinoa with water for about 3-4 hours. Then rinse it well with water, grind it to a smooth paste. Similarly, soak urad dal and fenugreek seeds for around 2-3 hours and rinse it well, and grind it to a smooth paste.

Mix both the batter and leave for fermentation for around 8 hours or overnight. Adjust the batter consistency with water.

Now heat non-stick frying pan on a gas stove and dazzle some oil onto it. spread the batter and heat it for few minutes. That’s it your quinoa

Dosa is ready!

Serve it with sambhar, podi, or coconut chutney!