Patient education: Low-purine diet (The Basics)

Why do I need a low-purine diet? — Purines are natural substances found in some foods. When the body digests purines, it makes a waste product called "uric acid."

When too much uric acid builds up in the body, it can lead to health problems. Doctors might recommend following a low-purine diet as part of your treatment if you have:

●Uric acid stones – These are a type of kidney stone.

●Gout – Gout is a form of arthritis. It can cause attacks of pain and swelling in the joints.

Limiting foods high in purines is only 1 part of a treatment plan. These conditions are also treated with medicines. For people with gout, diet changes alone will probably not help much with symptoms. But doctors do usually recommend avoiding alcohol and any other foods that cause attacks.

What can I eat and drink on a low-purine diet?

●Grains – Popcorn, whole-grain breads, pastas, cereals, rice.

●Fruits – All fruits.

●Vegetables – All vegetables, except those that are moderate and high in purines. Vegetables to avoid or limit are listed below.

●Dairy – All types of dairy are low in purines. But low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheeses are the best for you.

●Meats, poultry, seafood, and proteins – Eggs, nuts, peanut butter.

●Other foods and drinks – Water, tea, coffee, cocoa, condiments like salt, herbs, olives, pickles, relishes, vinegar, olive oil, sugar, sweets, gelatin.

What foods and drinks should I avoid or limit on a low-purine diet?

●Grains to avoid or limit – Oatmeal, wheat bran, wheat germ.

●Vegetables to avoid or limit – Asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, green peas, mushrooms.

●Meats, poultry, seafood, and proteins to avoid or limit – Red meat (beef, veal, lamb, pork), poultry, bacon, organ meats (sweetbreads, liver, kidneys, heart, brains), fish (mackerel, sardines, anchovies, herring, trout, haddock, cod, tuna), seafood (scallops, mussels, shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters), tripe, wild game (goose, duck, venison), mincemeat, lunch meats, turkey, dried beans, peas, lentils.

●Other foods and drinks to avoid or limit – Gravies, meat sauces, alcohol, yeast and yeast extracts (taken as supplements). Meat- or fish-based soups, broths, and bouillons.

What else should I know? — If you have excess body weight and gout, losing weight can help with symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can also help with problems caused by too much uric acid in your body.

More on this topic

Patient education: Kidney stone diet (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Gout (The Basics)

Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gout (Beyond the Basics)