Those who have never experienced a gout attack can never fully understand the importance that gout patients place on the purine content of food. After all, true empathy is unattainable without personal experience, and the pain of gout is beyond the imagination of those who have not suffered it.
Friends often lament to us, describing their gout attacks in the following way: The pain makes you ponder the meaning of life; even a gentle breeze feels excruciating!
A gout attack is like someone taking a file to your bones. It torments you late into the night, and just when you finally manage to fall asleep, a sudden hammer blow wakes you up: “Hey buddy, we’re having a gout attack here! Don’t doze off!”
Anyone with gout can relate to this feeling and will approach eating with trepidation, as if walking on thin ice. To alleviate the confusion when selecting food, we asked doctors to compile a list of low-purine foods. You can consume these foods with confidence.
Dairy Products
Milk, yogurt, etc.
Multiple studies have shown that consuming low-fat dairy products can help prevent gout. However, considering the rich protein content in dairy, those with kidney issues should consult a doctor first.
Various Eggs
Chicken eggs, duck eggs, goose eggs, quail eggs, pigeon eggs, etc.
Gout sufferers may also have high blood lipids, so they might worry: “Eggs have high cholesterol, won’t that affect my blood lipids?” In reality, such concerns are unnecessary.
Recent medical research indicates that cholesterol levels (i.e., blood lipids) are greatly related to fat intake and activity levels, rather than daily cholesterol consumption. Therefore, it’s fine for people with gout to eat two or three eggs a day.
However, those with kidney problems should consult a doctor before indulging.
Root Vegetables
Potatoes, taro, sweet potatoes, radishes, carrots, etc. Potatoes, taro, and sweet potatoes have very low purine content and high starch content, making them suitable alternatives to white rice and flour as staples. They are also high in potassium.
Radishes are also good for gout patients. They have low purine content, usually below 10 mg/100 g; they are high in water content and low in calories. Although radishes are good for gout, they cannot cure the condition.
Solanaceous Vegetables
Tomatoes, eggplants, green peppers.
These solanaceous vegetables typically have purine content below 15 mg/100 g and are considered low-purine foods. For those with both gout and diabetes, tomatoes are a win-win food.
The lycopene and cellulose in tomatoes not only help stabilize blood sugar but also have effects in alleviating complications of diabetes such as hypertension and retinopathy, as well as controlling blood lipids.
Melon Vegetables
Winter melon, loofah, cucumber, pumpkin, etc.
These types of vegetables usually have purine content below 15 mg/100 g and are considered low-purine foods. Winter melon and cucumber are rich in water and very low in calories, so gout sufferers can eat them with peace of mind.
If a gout patient also has diabetes, they should still be cautious when eating pumpkin. Pumpkin contains dietary fiber and polysaccharides that lower blood sugar, making it a medium to high glycemic index food.
Therefore, for those with diabetes, when choosing pumpkin, they should reduce their intake of staple foods to decrease carbohydrate consumption.
Various Grains
Rice, flour, millet, corn, etc.
The purine content in rice is usually below 20 mg/100 g, which is considered low-purine. Flour, millet, and corn have even lower purine content.
These foods have low purine content and minimal impact on uric acid levels. Gout sufferers should just be mindful of calorie intake when consuming them, as overeating can lead to weight gain.
Light-Colored Leafy Greens
Chinese cabbage, round cabbage, baby cabbage, etc. As you can see, these vegetables are economical and also low in purines. Enjoy them with confidence!