Purines are a substance found in foods and in your body. When metabolized, purines form uric acid. Your kidneys filter the uric acid from your blood and excrete it in your urine. If your body cannot eliminate the uric acid, conditions like gout may result. In this condition uric acid settles into your joints, crystallizes and causes pain. Following a low-purine diet can help you limit uric acid buildup.
Diet Basics
A low-purine diet aims to limit your daily purine intake to less 100 to 150 mg a day. You can limit your purine intake by eliminating high-purine foods from your diet, and limiting your intake of moderate-purine foods. High-purine foods include anchovies, sardines, mackerel, herring, organ meats, broth, gravy, sardines, scallops, meat extracts and yeast. Meat and fish contain moderate amounts of purine and your intake should be limited to 6 oz. a day. Certain vegetables, including asparagus, lentils, mushrooms, dried beans, dried peas and spinach, also contain moderate amounts of purines. You should limit your intake of these vegetables to a 1/2 cup serving a day.
Breakfast
If you need to lose weight, you should do so slowly when following a low-purine diet. Losing weight too quickly can increase your uric acid levels. A low-purine breakfast meal could include scrambled eggs, two slices of enriched white toast with 1 tsp. of margarine, 1 cup of cubed cantaloupe and 1 cup of nonfat milk. You should also watch your intake of high-fat foods, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. High intakes of fat causes your kidneys to retain uric acid.
Lunch
For lunch, you can have a tuna sandwich made with 2 oz. of canned tuna and 1 tbsp. of low-fat mayonnaise stuffed into a small pita. Serve your lunch meal with grapes, low-fat yogurt, carrot sticks and whole grain crackers. You should also try to drink 8 to 12 cups of fluid a day when following a low-purine diet.
Dinner
Try to include enough carbohydrate-rich foods on your low-purine diet. Carbohydrates also help rid your body of excess uric acid. Foods with carbohydrates include breads, starches, fruit and milk. For dinner, you can have a 3-oz. portion of grilled chicken with a baked potato, 1 tsp. of margarine and 1 cup of steamed broccoli.
Snacks
Snacking on your purine-restricted diet can help you meet your nutrient needs. Healthy snack choices include fresh fruit, crackers, low-fat yogurt, gelatin, ice milk and angel food cake.
References
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: Low Purine Diet
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, MS, RD, CDE, Sylvia Escott-Stump, MA, RD; 1996
Member Comments