Gout is a form of arthritis that develops when your body has too much uric acid. Foods that are rich in purines, such as beef and other meats, contribute to your body’s production of uric acid. While you may continue to eat beef when you have gout, limiting or eliminating it can help prevent further gout attacks. Talk to your doctor about the foods you are supposed to eat and avoid with gout.
Uric Acid and Purines
Your body does not need uric acid to function -- these substances are simply the resulting product of purine breakdown. If you have gout, your body is unable to get rid of uric acid, and the more purine-rich foods you eat, the more uric acid builds up in your body. This can contribute to more gout attacks, the symptoms of which include throbbing joint pain, tender joints and fever. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, only 10 percent of the uric acid in your body comes from the foods you eat. However, limiting beef and other purine-rich foods in your diet can still cut down on the amount of uric acid in your system.
Beef and Other Meats
All animal proteins, including beef, contain large amounts or purine. If you have gout, you should either completely avoid or severely restrict the amount of animal protein in your diet, including foods like beef, pork, lamb, organ meats, herring, anchovies, fatty fish, meat-based gravies and shellfish. Furthermore, eating a large amount of beef or other fatty cuts of meat may contribute to obesity, which is a risk factor for gout. If you choose to eat beef, select a lean cut and trim off the excess fat. MayoClinic.com recommends that people with gout do not consume more than 4 to 6 ounces of animal proteins in a day.
Better Protein Choices
Protein is an essential dietary nutrient, but you do not have to eat beef to get enough of it. People with gout can get protein from plant-based sources like beans and legumes. Replacing beef with these will also cut down on the amount of saturated fats in your diet, which can in turn help you lose weight. You can also get protein from low-fat or fat-free yogurt, milk or other dairy products, which may help lessen the amount of uric acid in your body. Be sure to eat an adequate amount of carbohydrates as well, and do not follow a high-protein diet, which can lead to high uric acid levels in the body.
Additional Considerations
Talk to your doctor before you make changes to your diet, and ask for specific dietary recommendations to lower your risks of further attacks of gout. If you enjoy beef and want to include it in your diet, ask how you can do this safely. Do not use a low-purine diet as a substitute for medications your doctor may have prescribed, and do not stop taking your medicines without your physician’s approval.
