Low Purine Diet Description

It is an eating plan that limits high purine foods. Phurines are a natural substance found in
some foods and is produced naturally by the body. When the body breaks down purine it
produces a waste product called uric acid. The kidneys normally filter the uric acid, and it leaves
the body through the urine. A build up of uric acid crystals in the joints can cause certain health
issues such as swelling and pain ( a gout attack) and kidney stones.

When does the diet being used?

It is being used to lower uric acid

Guidelines in making proper food choices

Group A - Exclude foods listed in the meal
Sweet breads Fish sauce
Organ meats Fish roes
Scallops and Mussels Herring
Anchovies Beer and grain liquors (like vodka and
whiskey)
Sardines
Meat Extracts, consommé High-fructose products like soda and some
juices, cereal, ice cream, candy, and fast
Gravies food
Group B – Limit the food intake of the following foods
Meats Beans
Fowl Peas
Fish (except noted above) Asparagus
Other sea foods Cauliflower
Lentils Mushrooms
Yeast Spinach
Whole-grain cereals
The following foods contain negligible amounts of purine and are not subject to limitation in the
diet:
Vegetables (except as noted above) Low-fat and nondairy fat products, such as
yogurt and skim milk
Fruits
Cheese Fresh fruits

Refined cereals and cereal products Nuts, peanut butter, and grains

Butter and fats (in moderation) Potatoes, rice, bread, and pasta

Eggs (in moderation)

Vegetable soups

General tips

• Drink 8 to 12 (8-ounce) glasses of liquid each day to reduce uric acid in your urine. This will
help prevent kidney stones from forming.

• If you are overweight or obese, lose weight slowly. Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week. Losing
weight too fast can increase uric acid levels in your body.

• Eat mostly foods high in complex carbohydrates that are also high in fiber, such as fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains.

• Consider getting more of your protein from low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, such as milk and
yogurt. These foods lower uric acid levels.

• Coffee (moderate, regular) and cherries may reduce uric acid for gout. Purine foods to avoid or
limit

• Ask your doctor about drinking alcohol. Alcohol increases purines in the body, leading to
higher uric levels in urine and blood. Beer and spirits appear to have the largest effect on raising
uric levels in the body.

• Avoid these very high purine foods: Ì Anchovies Ì Bacon Ì Brains Ì Cod Ì Goose Ì Gravy Ì
Haddock Ì Heart Ì Herring Ì Kidney Ì Liver Ì Mackerel Ì Mincemeat Ì Mussels Ì Roe Ì Sardines Ì
Scallops Ì Smelt Ì Sweetbreads Ì Veal Ì Venison Ì Meat based soups Ì Bouillon Ì Consommé Ì
Baker’s or Brewer’s yeast (taken as supplements) Foods that have high amounts of purines can
raise uric acid levels in the body. If you have gout, a form of arthritis, or develop a certain type
of kidney stone, your doctor may want you to avoid foods high in purines in order to lower your
uric acid levels. You do not need to avoid all foods with purines in them, only foods highest in
purines Fish (not listed with very high purine foods) Ì Ham Ì Pork Ì Poultry Ì Meat (red)
 • Limit these medium purine foods to 6 ounces daily. 6 ounces looks like 2 decks of cards. It is
best to split this amount between 2 or 3 meals and not eat it all at once. Low purine diet sample
one day menu If you have other medical conditions, discuss how this menu needs to change with
your dietitian.

Breakfast: • 1/4 cup hummus or 2 tablespoons light

• 1 to 2 cups cooked oatmeal without added
sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen fruit (can add to
oatmeal)
• 2 tablespoons nuts of any kind (can add to
oatmeal)
• Coffee or tea with milk (optional)
• 8 ounces or more of water
Midmorning snack:
• Banana or other fruit
• 6 ounces low sugar yogurt
• 8 ounces or more of water
Lunch:
• 2 slices 100% whole grain bread
• 3 ounces baked chicken or turkey breast
(note: try to avoid lunchmeat as it is high in
sodium)
• Lettuce, tomato, onion, and 2 teaspoons
mayo and/or mustard on sandwich as desired
• 1 cup sliced raw vegetables, such as baby
carrots, pepper strips, cucumbers, etc.
ranch dip
• Orange or other piece of fruit
• 16 ounces or more of water
Midafternoon snack:
• 1/4 cup mixed nuts or seeds
• Apple or other fruit
• 8 ounces or more of water
Dinner:
• 1 cups salad with 1 tablespoon olive oil
based dressing
• 3 ounces salmon or lean pork
• Medium baked sweet or white potato or 1
cup cooked whole grain, such as brown rice,
quinoa, etc.
• 1 cup steamed broccoli or other vegetable
with 2 teaspoons olive oil or butter
• 1 cup diced melon or other fruit
• 16 ounces or more of water
After dinner or before bed:
• 8 ounces or more of water

Reference

Anonymous (2019). Low Purine Diet. Retrieved from https://www.drugs.com/cg/low-purine-

diet.html

Burton, B. and Foster, W. (1988). Human Nutrition: Low purine diet. New York: McGraw-Hill
Book Company
Dellova, C., Roxas, M., Velasco, Z. & Pataunia, M. (2006). ABC’s of Nutrition and Diet Therapy:
For Nursing Students and healthcare Practitioners. Valenzuela City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

Robinson, J. (2019). Gout Diet: Foods to Eat and Those to Avoid. Retrieved from
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/gout-diet-curb-flares

Dellova, C., Roxas, M., Velasco, Z. & Pataunia, M. (2006). ABC’s of Nutrition and Diet Therapy:
For Nursing Students and healthcare Practitioners. Valenzuela City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

https://www.drugs.com/cg/low-purine-diet.html Low Purine Diet

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 19, 2019.

https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/gout-diet-curb-flares Jennifer Robinson, MD on April 07, 2019