How to Eat Properly to Avoid Gout

Gout is most often caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood stream. Uric acid comes from foods, some of which have higher concentrations of purine. Purine forms uric acid, which crystallizes when it cannot leave the body. As with any condition, proper nutrition is important in preventing attacks of gout. Those who suffer from gout should avoid foods rich in purine. Read on to learn how to eat properly to avoid gout.

Instructions

• 1

  Drink plenty of clear liquids, water being the best choice because it is so pure. Water not only properly hydrates the body and promotes overall health, but it also reduces the uric acid levels in the body. Low fat dairy milk is also a good choice to help rid your body of uric acid.

• 2

  Avoid alcohol, especially if you have other symptoms of an impending gout attack. Alcohol prevents uric acid from leaving the kidneys and being passed from the body via the urine stream. This is especially true for beer and wine. If you are prone to gout, it is best to eliminate all alcohol and replace it with water. Water naturally removes uric acid from the blood stream.

• 3

  Learn which foods are the highest in purine and assess how often you eat them. Certain purine rich foods should be avoided by gout suffers. Look for substitutions for your favorite foods. For example, mushrooms are high in purine, but leafy green vegetables are low in purine. Take your favorite recipes and look for new alternatives.

• 4

  Eliminate most, if not all, of your meat intake. Researchers find that vegetarians are the least likely people to get gout. This is even true if the same people had a strong family history of gout or had attacks of gout before going vegetarian.

• 5

  Junk the junk food and sweets. These foods, along with rich deserts, cakes and candies, all promote gout. When deciding to eat properly to avoid gout, it may mean giving up sweets. Substitute old favorites for fruit dishes topped with a small amount of sugar or a dollop of whipped cream instead.