Nutrition and Dietetic Department
Diet Information for Gout
Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the body. The uric acid forms crystals in the joints
causing pain and inflammation. These crystals can also form stones in the kidney and urinary
passages.
Painful attacks of gout may be brought on by drinking alcohol or eating foods high in purine
(specific chemical compounds found in some foods). High purine foods in a diet can increase
uric acid levels in the body.
The contribution of dietary purine to uric acid production is only small. However, regular or
excessive consumption of purine rich foods will make more of an impact and some restriction is
advisable.
Guidelines for gout are as follows:

Keep to the recommended portions of meat/fish/poultry.

Limit fat intake by choosing leaner meat, food prepared with minimal oil or fat and using
lower fat dairy products.

Limit alcohol consumption to no more than the recommended allowance: 14 units for women
and 21 units for men per week.

If you are overweight, gradual weight loss will help you reduce the level of uric acid in your
blood and reduce stress on joints.

Exercise regularly.

Adequate fluid intake helps to reduce the risk of urate crystallisation in the urine. It is
recommended that you drink at least 8-10 glasses or 1-1.5 litres of fluid per day. This
includes all fluids except alcohol.

Avoid sugar sweetened drinks including fruit and fizzy drinks. However, diet varieties are
acceptable.
If you need this information in another format or language telephone: 01536 492510
Further information about the Trust is available on the following websites:
KGH - www.kgh.nhs.uk | NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk
Ref: PI.706 September 2015
Next Review: June 2017

Try to reduce your intake of foods which are high in purines; see table below:

Some foods can trigger symptoms of gout although they may not be high in purines; such as
strawberries, tomatoes, oranges and nuts. These should be avoided if pain becomes worse.

Eat plenty of fruit & vegetables (except the ones listed below)
Foods High in Purines
Meat sources
Liver
Heart
Kidney
Sweetbreads
Meat extracts & stock
cubes
Game meat eg.
Venison, pigeon, goose
etc
Veal or young beef,
lamb & pork
Meat soups
Fish sources
Anchovies
Crab
Fish roes
Herrings
Mackerel
Pilchards
Scallops
Mussels
Salmon
Sardines
Shrimps
Sprats
Trout
Whitebait
Other sources
Yeast extracts eg. Bovril,
Marmite, Vegemite
Beer
Asparagus
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Beans eg. Tofu, soya beans
Peas
Spinach
People with cardiovascular risk are encouraged to consume oily fish which are high in purines.
Gout sufferers can replace these with fish oil capsules.
Apart from avoiding high purine foods, maintaining a healthy body weight is important for people
with gout. Obesity can result in increased uric acid production by the body.
Follow a well balanced diet to lose excess body weight. Do not follow a ‘high-protein’ ‘lowcarbohydrate diet’ as this can worsen gout conditions.
Further weight reducing advice can be provided by your Dietician if required.
Dietician: _________________
Telephone No: 01536 492320
Nutrition and Dietetic Department, Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering,
Northamptonshire NN16 8UZ
On behalf of
Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
-2-