A gout reducing diet may be a successful way to prevent gout from recurring, though initially coffee may be helpful. The following six tips should be considered for a gradual elimination of gout!
You should know which food are beneficial and what foods should be strictly avoided:
All foods which increase the amount of uric acid in the body should be avoided as they aggravate gout. On the other hand, all those foods that help keep uric acid under check are helpful and should be eaten in abundance. These foods should be kept in mind, in the organizer, on the fridge, in the grocery shopping list, everywhere!
Food to avoid include:
Red meat, turkey meat and meat extracts
Gravies and organ meats
Yeast
All sort of alcoholic beverages
Herring, fish roes, anchovies
Mussels and scallops
Legumes and lentils
Spinach, cauliflower, asparagus
Mushrooms and
Sweetbreads
Below is the list of foods that should be eaten:
Complex carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, cereal, rice etc.
Berries particular dark berries
Fruits like cherries, bananas, oranges and pineapple
Vegetables like kale, cabbage and parsley
Tofu
Oils like flaxseed oil and olive oil
Fruit juices, tea and coffee
Of course, lots of water.
Balanced diet is very important:
A gout attack can be prevented by eating foods that are healthy and avoiding ones that promote gout attacks. The American Medical Association believes that a diet is healthy when it is low in protein, high in complex carbohydrates and low in fat. Lean meats, poultry and soy should be the main sources of protein while only 30% of calories should be derived from fat.
The world of nutrition believes that frequent and smaller meals help in better health as they allow limiting portions and digestion of food.
Meals should be planned ahead for better health:
Meals when planned ahead make choice of food easier. Cravings can be avoided for foods which are rich in purine, unlike in cases when food has not been planned out from before and you’re hungry for food. Most restaurants keep such food items on their menu which promote gout attacks. Therefore, it is important that lunch and dinner are prepared ahead of time and you do not eat out on a frequent basis.
Substitution is important when eating out:
Everybody loves to eat out. However, trying to avoid gout attacks does not mean that one needs to avoid eating out in restaurants. However, substitution should be learnt in order to avoid the case of indulgence and feeling guilty or unhealthy. Here is a list of substitutions that can be done:
For appetizers: try a vegetable salad with dressing on the side, or garlic bread.
Appetizer – Instead of mussels try garlic bread or a veggie salad (Note: make sure to eliminate any veggies that are not conducive to a gout diet)
For entrée, have a vegetarian or a lean meat entrée instead of a steak
For dessert, fruit bowl with tea or coffee is better than a cappuccino and cheesecake.
Creativity is the key to fight gout:
The same food everyday can bore you and you may go back to eating the same unhealthy way. To avoid skipping meals or reverting to unhealthy options, recipes can be looked up or even created that help reduce the onset of gout.
Alkaline ionized water helps prevent conditions that promote gout:
Alkaline water can neutralize acidity in the body, wash away toxins and help build antioxidants in our body. Crystalline acid deposits in our joints cause inflammation leading to gout. Alkaline water can eliminate this condition and therefore play a part in preventing gout. A good water ionizer can be used to be healthy and is easily attached to the kitchen tap!