Many foods contain purines (PYUR-eenz), especially:
Organ meats
Anchovies
Mackerel
Sardines
Purines make up 15 percent of the uric acid found in the body. Too much uric acid can lead to problems, including kidney stones and gout.
For this reason, doctors often recommend a low-purine diet help with these problems, and sometimes for people who have had an organ transplant.
The diet, often with medication, can lower uric acid levels. Some people can lower their uric acid levels through diet alone.
Not everyone needs to follow a rigid diet to treat gout, but avoiding foods that are high in purines may help. Check with your doctor or dietitian to see if you should follow this diet.
Never Miss a Beat!
Subscribe to Our HealthBeat Newsletter!
(Tap to Join!)(Click to Join!)
I understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time.
Thank you for subscribing!
You are already subscribed.
Sorry, an error occurred. Please try again later.
Get Healthy Tips Sent to Your Phone!
Tips for Following a Low-Purine Diet
Avoid or limit alcohol. Alcohol increases purine production. This leads to higher uric acid levels in your blood and urine.
Limit meat to 3 oz. per meal.
Limit high-fat foods. Fat holds onto uric acid in your kidneys.
Eat enough carbs. They help your body get rid of extra uric acid.
If you’re overweight, lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can increase uric acid levels.
Drink 8 to 12 cups of fluid every day to help reduce kidney stone formation.
Don’t take baker’s or brewer’s yeast as a supplement.
Low-purine Diet: Foods to Choose and Avoid
Use the charts below for foods to choose and avoid when following a low-purine diet.
Breads, Cereals, Rice, and Pasta
Choose
Avoid
6 to 11 servings each day.
Serving size = 1 slice bread. 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal. 1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice, or pasta.
All enriched breads, cereals, rice, noodles, pasta, and potatoes.
Limit to 2 servings per week: whole-grain breads and cereals, wheat germ, bran, and oatmeal.
High-fat breads like French toast, biscuits, and muffins.
Pancakes.
French fries.
Fruit
Choose
Avoid
2 to 4 servings each day.
Serving size = 1 medium-size piece of fresh fruit. 1/2 cup canned fruit. 3/4 cup fruit juice.
All fruit and fruit juices.
Avocados (high in fat).
Milk and Dairy Products
Choose
Avoid
2 servings each day.
Serving size = 1 cup milk or yogurt.
Skim or low-fat milk.
Low-fat yogurt.
Whole milk and cream.
Sour cream.
Vegetables
Choose
Avoid
3 servings each day.
Serving size = 1 cup raw. 1/2 cup cooked or chopped.
All vegetables.
Limit to 2 servings per week: mushrooms, dried peas and beans, spinach, asparagus, cauliflower.
High-fat cooking such as au gratin, fried foods, and cream sauces.
Meats, Poultry, Fish, Dried Beans, Peas, Eggs, and Cheese
Choose
Avoid
Total of 6 oz. daily.
Serving size = 2-3 oz. cooked: 1 egg.
1/2 cup cooked beans. 2 tablespoons peanut butter. 1 oz. of cheese as 1 oz. of meat.
Beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, fish.
Eggs.
Peanut butter, nuts.
Low-fat cheese.
Limit to 2 servings per week: dried peas and beans.
The UPMC Department of Urology offers a wide variety of specialized care for diseases of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs, including erectile dysfunction, kidney stones, urinary incontinence, prostate cancer, and more. We have a multifaceted team of physicians and researchers working together to provide the best care to both children and adults. Our team is nationally renowned for expertise in highly specialized technologies and minimally invasive surgical techniques. To find a provider near you, visit our website.
Become a Member of Our Health and Wellness Email List
(Tap to Join!)(Click to Join!)
I understand that by providing my email address, I agree to receive emails from UPMC. I understand that I may opt out of receiving such communications at any time.
