Purines are substances in foods, especially high protein foods, that break down into uric acid in your body. While uric acid in small amounts is not considered harmful, excess amounts of uric acid can cause a painful form of arthritis known as gout. Gout causes uric acid crystals to build up in your joints, resulting in swelling, redness and pain. If your physician has advised you to eat a low purine diet, knowing safe foods to eat can help to keep you well. Always speak to your physician before beginning a low-carbohydrate, low-purine diet.
Protein Sources
High-protein foods tend to be low in carbohydrates, yet high in purines. For example, meat, fish and poultry are all high in purines. If your physician recommends eating a low-purine diet, limit your overall protein intake to between 4 and 6 oz. per day. Other high-purine foods include liver, herring, mackerel and scallops. Some low-carbohydrate protein sources are low in purines, including low-fat dairy products, tofu and eggs.
Fruits and Vegetables
While fruits and vegetables do contain carbohydrates, they are often considered low-carbohydrate foods because the carbohydrate source includes fiber, which the body does not digest. Examples of low-purine, low-carbohydrate fruits and vegetables include green vegetables except asparagus or spinach, tomatoes, bananas, apples, berries and carrots. Some fruit choices, such as cherry juice and strawberries, may help to lower the amount of uric-acid containing purines in your daily diet.
Grain-Containing Foods
Most grain-containing foods tend to be lower in purines although they are higher in carbohydrates. Examples of low-purine grains include rice, noodles and pasta. However, slow-cooked oatmeal is higher in fiber and is a medium-purine source that can be enjoyed in moderation. Wheat bran and wheat germ are other medium-purine sources in your diet that can be lower in carbohydrates. While refined sources of carbohydrates, such as candies, cakes and pies, are low in purines, they are high in carbohydrates and should be avoided because they add little nutritional value to your diet and can contribute to obesity. Because obesity can worsen gout, try to limit your intake of high-calorie carbohydrate sources.
Warning
Eating a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is considered harmful if you experience gout because this type of diet is typically high in purines, according to New York Urologic. Instead, you should follow a well-balanced diet that consists of a varied amount nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats in your diet.
Member Comments