Eating Right for Gout Pain

Every Saturday the Imperial Farmers Market in Sugar Land opens up with an array of delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables for purchase. These are right from the farm to your table so you know you’re getting the best quality. People with gout need to follow a routine of eating healthy so they can avoid flare-ups and pain, and the Farmers Market is just the place to stock up on essentials for the week.

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes very sudden and painful attacks. One minute you feel just fine and the next your toe may feel like it’s on fire. Men are more likely to suffer from this condition than women, but it can affect almost anyone. After a flare-up, you will no longer feel the intense pain, but you might have some lingering discomfort that can last up to a few weeks. There may also be redness and inflammation in the joints. This disease is closely tied to your diet. Eating the right things can keep you healthy, while eating too much of the wrong thing will cause you problems.

For people with this condition, it’s important to limit foods that are high in purines. Your body breaks down purines by producing uric acid, and uric acid is the main contributor to a gout attack. Some foods that should be limited include beer, meat, poultry, fish, foods that are high in fat, and foods that are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Instead you should be eating complex carbohydrates, fat-free dairy products, and drinking lots of water. If you stick to eating lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains you can stay healthy and avoid flare-ups.

If you have more questions about what foods are safe to eat when you have gout, call Dr. Marco Vargas and Dr. Joyce Lee at (281) 313-0090 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at Foot & Ankle Associates in Sugar Land, TX.
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