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Low Purine Content Foods

Purine is a substance found in foods and the human body's cells. Purines contain part of the genetic structure of cells. Uric acid forms in the blood when purine is broken down. Uric acid is excreted by the kidneys, but sometimes high levels accumulate. The excess uric acid is stored in joints like ankles resulting in gout, a painful condition. In addition to medication, a diet low in purines combats gout.

  1. Dairy Products

    • According to dietaryfiberfood.com, a 12-year study found that a higher-than-normal intake of dairy products produces a lower-than-normal chance of contracting gout. Low-purine dairy products include low- or fat-free cheese, ice cream and fat-free or 1% milk. A low-purine diet should also be low in fat. Purine levels are measured in milligrams, or mg, per 100 grams, or g of food. Two examples of very low purine content dairy products are cottage cheese, which contains 8 mg, and plain yogurt, which has 7 mg. To illustrate how low these contents are, compare them to liver with 266.4 mg and poultry with 130.7 mg.

    Bread, Cereal, Pasta and Rice

    • Bread without baker's yeast is low in purines, such as white bread with 12.2 mg or crushed bread with 15.7 mg. Wheat flour also has a low level of purines, 11.5 mg. Purchase kosher, or unleavened bread, to avoid the purines. Drugs.com places on its list of low purine foods cereals, pasta and macaroni along with bread. Rice is another food on its list, due to its content of 5.9 mg.

    Other Foods

    • A list of foods with low levels of purines includes nuts, peanut butter, cream soups, soda, coffee and tea, gelatin, cakes and cookies in small amounts, fruits and fruit juices, chocolate and tomatoes. Eat no more than three or four eggs per week; eggs make the low purine list. Light green vegetables are fine; dark vegetables like spinach, peas and asparagus are not.

    General Guidelines

    • You will not find any meats or seafood on the low purine content list. A general rule is that any food high in protein is high in purine. Limit beer and alcohol, which are high in purines. Wine is better but check with your physician. Consume alcohol in moderation. Gout increases risk of heart disease; combine low-fat with low-purine to minimize risk.

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