Gout Diet: Complete Guide

Last updated: 20 February 2026

A gout diet is an eating pattern that helps manage gout by limiting foods that raise uric acid and supporting a healthy weight. It is often called a low purine diet or uric acid diet because purines in food are broken down to uric acid, which can form crystals in joints and trigger gout attacks. A gout diet plan or gout treatment diet is used alongside medication–it does not replace it. This guide explains what the gout diet is, how a low purine diet and uric acid diet work, what to eat and avoid, benefits and risks, and a sample gout diet plan day. Always follow your doctor’s or dietitian’s advice for your gout treatment.

Disclaimer: This page is for education only and does not replace advice from your doctor or dietitian. Gout needs proper diagnosis and treatment. Diet supports but does not replace medication. Do not change your medication or diet without speaking to your healthcare team.

Below you will find the definition of the gout diet, low purine diet, and uric acid diet, how a gout treatment diet fits into care, what to eat and avoid, a gout diet plan approach, benefits and risks, a sample day, and answers to common questions. You can use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator with your healthcare team if you have a weight or calorie goal.

What is the gout diet?

Gout is a form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in the joints. A gout diet (or gout treatment diet) aims to reduce uric acid levels and the frequency of flares by:

Following a low purine diet–limiting foods high in purines (organ meats, some fish and shellfish, game), which the body converts to uric acid.
Limiting alcohol, especially beer, which can raise uric acid and trigger flares.
Staying well hydrated.
Losing weight gradually if you are overweight (rapid weight loss can trigger flares).
Including foods that may help, such as low-fat dairy (some guidelines recommend it).

An uric acid diet is another name for this type of eating. A gout diet plan structures these principles into daily meals. Diet alone often is not enough to control gout–medication (e.g. allopurinol) is usually needed. Your doctor or dietitian will tailor a gout diet plan to you.

How the gout diet and low purine diet work

Purines in food are broken down to uric acid. A low purine diet reduces dietary purines so less uric acid is produced. Limiting alcohol and losing excess weight (gradually) also help. A uric acid diet or gout diet does not cure gout–it supports medical treatment and may reduce flares. Use our TDEE calculator and calorie calculator only as a guide if your doctor advises weight loss; keep the deficit moderate to avoid triggering a flare. There are no phases; you follow the gout diet plan and low purine diet principles ongoing.

What to eat and what to limit on a gout diet

A low purine diet and uric acid diet focus on reducing high-purine foods and alcohol. The table below is a general guide; your doctor or dietitian may adjust it.

Eat (low purine / gout diet)	Eat in moderation	Limit or avoid
Vegetables, fruits, whole grains	Lean meat, poultry (small portions)	Organ meats (liver, kidney, sweetbreads)
Low-fat dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese)	Some fish (see avoid list for high-purine fish)	Anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, herring, mackerel
Eggs, nuts, pulses (e.g. lentils, chickpeas)–moderate amounts often allowed	–	Alcohol, especially beer; sugary drinks (may raise uric acid)

Older advice sometimes restricted pulses and spinach; many guidelines now allow them in moderation. Your gout diet plan or gout treatment diet should be confirmed with your doctor or dietitian. Stay well hydrated (water, etc.) to help the kidneys excrete uric acid.

Potential benefits of the gout diet

Benefits are often described as “may” or “can help”–individual results vary. Diet does not replace medication.

Fewer flares: A low purine diet and limiting alcohol may help reduce gout attacks in some people when combined with medication and weight management.
Lower uric acid: An uric acid diet that limits high-purine foods and alcohol can support lower serum uric acid. Medication usually has a stronger effect.
Weight and health: Losing excess weight gradually and eating a balanced gout diet plan can improve overall health and may reduce gout burden.

Evidence: diet can help as part of gout management; medication remains the mainstay for many. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

Risks and who should be cautious

The gout diet is generally safe when balanced. A few points:

Rapid weight loss: Losing weight too quickly can trigger a gout flare. If your doctor advises weight loss, do it gradually–use a moderate calorie deficit and our TDEE calculator with their guidance.
Do not stop medication: A gout treatment diet supports medication; it does not replace it. Do not stop or change drugs without your doctor’s advice.
Other conditions: If you have kidney disease, diabetes, or other conditions, your gout diet plan may need to be adjusted. Work with your doctor or dietitian.

Sample gout diet plan day

This is one example of a gout diet plan day–not a prescriptive plan. Adjust to your doctor’s or dietitian’s advice and your low purine diet / uric acid diet list.

Breakfast: Oatmeal with low-fat milk, banana, and a handful of nuts. Or eggs with wholemeal toast and fruit.
Lunch: Salad with grilled chicken (moderate portion), olive oil, whole grain bread. Low-fat yogurt and fruit.
Dinner: Baked white fish or chicken, vegetables, brown rice or potato. Avoid high-purine fish (anchovies, sardines, mussels, etc.).
Snacks: Fruit, low-fat dairy, vegetable sticks. Water or other non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.

Limit or avoid alcohol, especially beer. Use our calorie calculator only as a rough guide if you are losing weight. For related approaches, see our weight loss diet, heart-healthy diet, and anti-inflammatory diet guides–your gout treatment diet can align with these.

Frequently asked questions

A gout diet (or gout treatment diet) is an eating pattern that helps manage gout by limiting foods high in purines (which raise uric acid) and alcohol, and encouraging weight loss if needed, plenty of fluids, and some beneficial foods like low-fat dairy. It is part of gout treatment alongside medication–it does not replace it.

A low purine diet limits foods that are high in purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid. High-purine foods include organ meats, some fish and shellfish, and game. A low purine diet is often recommended as part of a gout diet or uric acid diet to help reduce flares. Your doctor or dietitian can give you a full list.

On a gout diet you can eat most vegetables, fruits, whole grains, eggs, low-fat dairy, and moderate amounts of lean meat and poultry. You should limit or avoid organ meats, oily fish, shellfish, and alcohol (especially beer). See the table above for a full list. A gout diet plan can structure this into daily meals.

A uric acid diet is another name for an eating pattern that aims to lower uric acid levels or reduce gout flares. It overlaps with a low purine diet and gout diet: limit high-purine foods and alcohol, stay hydrated, and if overweight lose weight gradually. It supports but does not replace medical treatment.

Usually yes. A gout diet and gout treatment diet can help reduce flares and support lower uric acid, but for many people medication (e.g. allopurinol) is needed to control gout long term. Do not stop or change medication without your doctor’s advice. Diet and medication work together.

Yes. A gout diet plan structures your meals around low-purine foods: plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and limited high-purine meats and alcohol. Your doctor or dietitian can tailor a gout diet plan to you. Use the sample day in the article as a starting point, and check with your healthcare team.

Summary

A gout diet (or gout treatment diet) helps manage gout by following a low purine diet and uric acid diet: limit organ meats, high-purine fish and shellfish, and alcohol (especially beer); stay hydrated; lose weight gradually if needed; include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. A gout diet plan turns this into daily meals. Diet supports but does not replace medication–follow your doctor’s advice. Use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator only with your doctor’s approval if losing weight. See our weight loss diet, heart-healthy diet, and anti-inflammatory diet guides for related information.