High Purine Foods

An assortment of types of meat that can cause gout. — All meats are high in purine and should be eaten sparingly. Low-fat dairy products are a good way to get needed protein.

We've all heard the saying, 'you are what you eat'...and if what someone with gout eats is too many foods rich in purines they're likely to be suffering a gout attack. Gout is the one form of arthritis where it has been proven that specific foods make symptoms worse. The high purine foods listed in the following table should be approached with caution by those with gout or avoided altogether. Low purine foods pose no risk and medium purine foods can be consumed in moderation.

FOOD GROUP	LOW PURINE 0-50mg purine per 100g No Restriction	MEDIUM PURINE 50-150mg purine per 100g In Moderation	HIGH PURINE 150-825mg purine per 100g Very Little/Avoid
Breads, Cereals, and Grain Products	White Bread Corn Bread Noodles/Pasta Macaroni Popcorn White Rice Crackers Puddings/Custards	Wheat Bread Oatmeal Wheat Bran Brown Rice Whole Grains	Sweetbreads Baker's Yeast Brewer's Yeast
Fruit	All Fruits and Fruit Juices
Vegetables	Most vegetables (except those listed in Medium Purine column)	Asparagus Cauliflower Spinach Mushrooms Green Peas
Meats, Poultry, Fish and Protein Foods	Eggs Peanut Butter Nuts (all kinds)	Lean Beef Lean Pork Poultry (without skin) Tofu Fish Shrimp Crab Oysters, Clams	Sardines Anchovies Mackerel Herring Mussels Scallops Organ Meats (liver, etc.) Meat Extracts Mincemeat Dried Beans (red beans, lentils, etc.)
Milk and Milk Products	All lowfat or fat-free milk and dairy products Cheese
Other	Carbonated Beverages Chocolate Coffee Tea Fats and Oils Condiments Salt Olives/Pickles	Meat Soups and Broth	Beer and Alcoholic Beverages Gravies

See Also