What Foods Are Bad for Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that usually affects smaller joints such as fingers, toes, wrists and ankles and occurs suddenly. Pain in the joints is accompanied by redness, swelling and tenderness to the touch. It is not unusual for people to run a fever when they have a gout attack. Gout strikes mostly middle-aged men but both genders can develop gout at any age. A high level of uric acid in the body is the main cause of gout, though the condition can also run in families. Gout can also be an adverse reaction to some prescription medications. People who have a history of gout attacks sometimes need to alter their diets in order to decrease the amount of uric acid in their bodies.

Purines and Uric Acid

• Everyone's body makes a substance called purines, a material that is not only found in the human body but in plants and foods as well. When purines break down, they produce a waste product called uric acid. Uric acid in moderate amounts is good for the human body--it acts as an antioxidant and contributes to the health of our blood vessels. The average American consumes from 600 to 1,000 mg of purines every day, according to WHFoods.org. When too much uric acid builds up in the body, through dietary or other sources, it crystalizes and attaches to the joints. The crystals interfere with joint function, which is gout.

Meats and Fish

• Most types of meat and fish contain moderate levels of purines, with the exception of organ meats such as liver and kidneys, which are very high in purines. People who have regular bouts of gout should avoid high-purine foods, which also includes certain fish such as herring and anchovies. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic suggest that gout patients restrict themselves to a daily portion of meat, fish or poultry that weighs in the 5 to 6 oz. range.

Alcohol and Soft Drinks

• Those who have gout are instructed to drink large amounts of water and fluids in general in an attempt to dilute the amount of uric acid surrounding the joints. The exception to this rule is soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, which do not help flush uric acid out of the system. Beer falls especially into this restricted category, as it contains high levels of yeast, a substance that is not "friendly" to gout. If you are in the middle of a gout attack, do not drink sodas and alcohol at all. If you have a tendency toward gout but are not experiencing active symptoms, you can safely have a drink or two every so often with the permission of your doctor.

Whole Grains and Fiber-Rich Foods

• Whole grains and fiber-rich foods are part of a "heart healthy" diet, but unfortunately do not benefit gout patients when they are staples of the diet. Whole grains and fibrous vegetables such as kidney beans, cauliflower, lentils, spinach and oat products are classified as "moderately high" in purines, according to WHFoods.org, and contain up to 100 mg of the substance for every 3 1/2 oz serving. These foods can be eaten in moderation, but should be limited according to your doctor's suggestion or as needed according to your gout symptoms.

Low-Carb Diets

• People who are susceptible to gout should try not to follow strictly low-carb diets, especially in the midst of a gout attack. Foods that are low in carbohydrates are not bad for gout per se--it's more the diet as a whole that is detrimental. Low-carb menus and eating plans tend to be high in protein, which because of the purine levels, can lead to more frequent and intense gout attacks.