The Gout Diet: 3 Best and Worst Foods to Manage Flare-Ups

Gout is a form of arthritis, one that can be triggered or helped by certain foods and drinks. 

Like the other 100-plus forms of arthritis, gout causes inflammation in the joints. Its underlying cause, though, differs from the most common forms: osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear of the joint tissues) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition). 

Gout develops when uric acid crystals build up in the joint space, causing painful inflammation that usually starts in the big toe.

At Chicagoland Foot and Ankle, our team of board-certified foot and ankle specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of podiatric conditions, including gout, at our offices in and around Chicago, Illinois. 

Because gout’s relationship with food and drink is somewhat unique, our team wants you to know about the best and worst foods to help you manage flare-ups.

Gout in a nutshell

Your body creates uric acid when it breaks down purines, naturally occurring compounds found in certain types of foods. Normally, your kidneys filter the uric acid out of your blood and expel it through urine. 

But if you consume large quantities of purines, or if your kidneys can’t remove the excess uric acid effectively, it builds up and deposits needle-like crystals within the joint.

Gout can develop within any joint in the body, but for some reason, about 50% of first-time attacks affect the big toe.

When the crystals build up in the joint space, they trigger an immune system response. White blood cells move into the area, causing inflammation, severe pain, and chronic disease. If uric acid crystals build up in the urinary tract, they cause kidney stones.

Gout flare-ups

Gout causes sudden flare-ups of symptoms, often in the middle of the night. They include:

• Intense joint pain, especially for first 4-12 hours
• Joint inflammation
• Swelling and tenderness
• Redness around the joint
• Warmth in the joint
• Limited range of motion

The severity of symptoms during a flare-up varies from person to person. For some, the pain is so intense that even a light breeze is unbearable. For others, symptoms may not be so severe, but they can last for days or weeks.

Flare-ups are usually managed with medication, both acute drugs that address symptoms and long-term medications that lower the uric acid levels in your blood. You can also manage flare-ups with an appropriate diet.

Best and worst foods to manage flare-ups

Certain foods and drinks raise your body’s uric acid levels, leading to or intensifying gout flare-ups. Three foods and drinks to avoid include:

• Organ meats, including liver, kidney, and glandular meats like the thymus and pancreas (sometimes called sweetbreads)
• Seafood, especially shellfish, anchovies, and sardines
• Sugary or high-fructose products like soda pop, cereal, ice cream, candy, and fast food

On the other hand, some foods and drinks help decrease flare intensity, including three low-purine options:

• Low-fat and nonfat dairy products, such as yogurt and skim milk
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, bread, and pasta

Since everybody responds a bit differently, you may want to consult a nutritionist to help you tailor your diet to prevent or manage gout flare-ups.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of gout, your next step should be to come into Chicagoland Foot and Ankle for a consultation with one of our podiatric specialists. 

To get started, call us at any of our locations — the Mount Greenwood and Portage Park areas of Chicago, Orland Park, and New Lenox, Illinois — or book online with us today.