Gout can be a very painful condition that can come on suddenly and without warning. Most people don’t think in terms of how much uric acid they may have in their system until they wake up one morning and their big toe or their feet, ankles, knees, or hands are drastically inflamed causing them needle sharp pain. Then they will stop and give heed to reducing that buildup.
A single flare up of gout can last for days, and in some extreme cases, it could even go on for months. We probably have all seen the picture of Napolean with his hand inside his vest and heard the story of how he was often stricken with gout. Whether or not the case is true or it’s merely a myth it gives us all a reason to pause and consider what we would do if we were to experience frequent flare ups of gout. While taking medication has proven to be effective in some cases, one of the best and most natural ways to treat the condition is to know gout diet foods not to eat and make every effort to avoid them. Here are a few foods to watch out for.
1.) Seafood And Meat
When it comes to gout, one of the most important foods to avoid is seafood. These and other animal products are high in purines, which the body will naturally break down into uric acid. As long as you keep your seafood and meat consumption down to a minimum, you’ll be able to keep your gout at bay.
While there is caution in regards to seafood, some may be okay to eat on occasion while others you would want to avoid completely. Foods like shrimp, lobster, and crab are considered to be relatively safe, but other types of seafood should be avoided completely. If you are prone to flare ups of gout avoid eating tuna, anchovies, or even herring.
2.) Beer
Okay, now you’re probably feeling the pinch right now but yes, if you are prone to outbreaks of gout, it is best to put down the beer and pick up another alternative. The problem with beer is that it encourages gout in two separate ways. First, it will automatically increase the amount of uric acid in the body and it also creates an environment where your body will find it more difficult to clean your system.
This doesn’t mean that you must avoid all alcoholic beverages. Some medical experts suggest that you drink wine instead. This is acceptable as long as you’re not in the middle of a flare up but if you are experiencing a bout with the gout, it is advisable that you consider alcohol one of the gout diet foods not to take.
3.) Asparagus
Another important food to watch out for is asparagus. This along with cauliflower, spinach, and mushrooms can be very high in purines. Now, you’re probably thinking that these are foods that should be good for you but because of their high purine content they can be very bad for someone suffering from gout.
When a bout of gout comes on we all want to swear off of these foods forever. The inflammation in the joints and the resulting pain are hard to ignore. However, if you’re prone to gout flare ups knowing which kinds of gout diet foods not to eat can do wonders to make your life easier and help you get over the attack much more quickly.
