Purines are chemical compounds that occur naturally in the cells of your body and in almost all foods as well. Certain foods contain extremely high levels of purines. Your body produces uric acid as part of the process of breaking down purines. Excessive levels of uric acid may form crystals that can accumulate around a joint, causing the symptoms of gout. A diet low in high-purine foods can help treat this painful form of arthritis.
Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta
In its guidelines for a low-purine diet, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center recommends 6 to 11 daily servings of foods in this category. A typical serving might be a slice of bread and a cup of cold cereal or ½ cup cooked pasta, rice or cereal. Allowable foods in this category include all enriched breads, cereals, pasta, potatoes and rice, as well as limited servings--not to exceed two per week--of whole-grain breads and cereals, bran, wheat germ and oatmeal. The diet also includes whole-grain breads and cereals, bran, wheat germ and oatmeal. Stay away from high-fat products like biscuits, french fries, french toast, muffins and pancakes.
Fruits and Vegetables
With fruit and fruit juices, you can let down your guard and eat a total of two to four daily servings of all fruits and juices, though you should limit your intake of avocados, which are high in fat. Your diet should include three daily servings---1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked or chopped---of vegetables, but there are several vegetables you should limit to two servings weekly. Such vegetables, which are moderate in purine content include asparagus, cauliflower, dried beans, peas and lentils, mushrooms and spinach, according to HealthSquare.
Dairy Products
Two daily servings of skim or low-fat milk and/or low-fat yogurt are allowable, according to the University of Pittsburgh guidelines, which counsel dieters to avoid whole milk, cream and sour cream.
Condiments, Drinks and Fats
You can enjoy your fill of carbonated beverages, coffee, cocoa and tea, as well as all spices and condiments. Also allowable are soups made with low-fat milk and vegetable-based broths. Eat no more than a total of 3 tsp daily of butter, margarine, vegetable oils and mayonnaise. Avoid or sharply limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Meats, Poultry, Fish, Eggs and Cheese
Limit your daily intake of these foods to a total of 6 oz or less. Allowable foods include lean beef, lamb, pork and veal; fish; poultry; eggs; and low-fat cheese, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
The following foods are among the highest in purines and should be avoided completely: anchovies, sweetbreads, organ meats, goose, herring, mackerel, mincemeat, mussels, sardines and scallops.
Desserts
Dieters with a sweet tooth won't have to go completely without their daily fix. They can enjoy low-fat ice cream or ice milk, pudding, and cakes or cookies made with low-fat dairy products.
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