What you eat may trigger gout, an uncomfortable joint issue. When too much uric acid gathers in the bloodstream, tiny crystal deposits settle in and around the joints, causing sharp pain, states Mayo Clinic.
Purines, that break down to uric acid, are sometimes plentiful in fish. For someone struggling with gout, the biggest culprits include scallops, sardines, herring, anchovies, and mackerel, states Healthline.
According to WebMD, red meats like beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison should also be avoided completely.
As per Medical News Today, intake of fructose-rich items like honey, dates, raisins, pineapples, bananas, watermelon, grapes, mango juices should be limited. Don't cut out fresh fruit/honey entirely; have small portions.
Completely avoid sugary soft drinks and packaged treats made with corn syrup, even cereal, ice cream, candy, fast food, suggest both Medical News Today and WebMD.
Boozy drinks can worsen the trouble. They interfere with the kidneys’ job of clearing waste, states Cleveland Clinic. Instead of being washed away, uric acid lingers, accumulating, raising the risk of painful flare-ups.
Medical News Today notes that starchy picks like potatoes, winter squash, parsnips and even rice are better left mostly out of a gout-friendly diet.
Healthline advises cutting back on items that spike blood sugar quickly, like white bread and pasta. This may help keep uric acid under control.
Avoid organ and gland meats like liver, kidneys, and sweetbread, as they are rich in purines and can raise uric acid in the bloodstream, states WebMD.