What Foods Are Low in Purines?

Found naturally in many foods, the human body also produces a substance called purines. The body breaks purines down into uric acid, and in a healthy person, the kidneys filter the uric acid out of the body. People with gout, however, sometimes have an excess of uric acid build up in their blood. This can happen because the body produces too much uric acid, or the kidneys are unable to filter enough out through the urine. To control the uric acid build-up, it is important to eat a diet of foods low in purines.

Dairy and Eggs

Eggs are mostly low in purines, but limit yourself to three or four each week. When it comes to cheese and ice cream, feel free to indulge, but stick with low-fat or fat-free versions. One percent milk provides a good option, but don't drink more than 25 ozs. per day. As a snack, try pudding, a tasty treat with low purine quantities.

Soups

Soups are an easy meal and great to make in bulk. Cream-style soup is fine when made with low-fat milk. Also, try any soup made without meat broth or extracts. Stick to vegetable broth instead.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits are low in purines, so eat as much of any kind as you like. Don't forget that fruit juices are an option as well. Vegetables are more difficult, since some have very high protein levels. You should avoid asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower and green peas. Also, stay away from dried beans, peas and lentils. Any other vegetables are fine, so you have plenty of choices like lettuce, onions and carrots.

Grains

A low-purine grain diet means low-fiber and no whole grain breads. Stick to white bread or other refined grain types. Pasta and macaroni are good staples that offer limitless meal possibilities. Finally, all types of rice are low in purines, so you can augment your eating choices with rice flour and rice milk as desired.

Sweets and Fats

As in most healthy diets, you must limit your fats and sweets intake to small amounts. Watch your consumption of low-purine foods such as nuts and nut-butters, like peanut butter, when attempting to lose weight. Sugars, syrups, fats and oils are low in purines, but try not to overwhelm your diet with them. Cakes and cookies are acceptable in nominal amounts, but you can use as much gelatin as you want.

Drinks

Low-purine drinks are easy to come by. Fruit juices and juices from any of the low-purine vegetables are often a healthy choice. Conversely, caffeine addicts will be pleased to know that coffee and tea are also low in purines. Finally, drink soda to your heart's content, but make sure to watch the amount of sugar.