Foods That Trigger Gout

Gout is a very painful type of inflammatory arthritis that is treatable but has no cure. It causes pain and swelling in a joint: often your big toe, knees and ankles. Gout attacks can appear very suddenly and may last for ten days if left untreated. Avoiding certain foods and lifestyle choices can often prevent the onset of an attack.

Meat Triggers

• To prevent a gout attack, avoid eating meats that are high in purines. These include red meats, organ meats, veal, bacon, turkey, goose, pheasants and partridge.

Seafood Triggers

• Seafood that triggers gout includes salmon, shrimp, mussels, crab, trout, mackerel, anchovies, scallops and sardines.

Vegetable Triggers

• People who suffer from gout should also avoid certain vegetables that may be high in purines. These vegetables include mushrooms, cooked spinach, cauliflower, peas, asparagus and lentils.

Other Food Triggers

• Other foods to avoid include alcohol, caffeine, fried foods, baked goods, ice cream and rich desserts. Saturated fats and sugars increase your uric acid levels and impair kidney function.

Prevention/Solution

• Although there are many food limitations for gout sufferers, adding low-fat dairy products (like cheese and milk) can decrease your risk for a gout attack. Drinking water also helps your body flush out uric acid.

Benefits

• Eating low-purine foods such as fruits, breads, tomatoes, olives, rice, pasta and tofu also decrease instances of gout.