Can You Eat Bread if You Have Gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis that can cause debilitating joint pain. This inflammatory condition most commonly affects your big toe, but may also spread to other joints in your body — like your feet, ankles, and knees. If you have gout, your healthcare provider may have given you a list of foods to avoid. Because diet plays an important role in inflammation, what you eat may affect your symptoms.

So you may be wondering if you’re allowed to eat certain foods, like bread. Good news: The answer is yes. Here’s everything you need to know.

What’s the Connection Between Gout and Your Diet?

The intense pain and swelling you experience during a gout flare-up occur when urate crystals accumulate in your joint, according to Mayo Clinic. These crystals develop due to an excess amount of uric acid in your blood, which comes from the breakdown of purines — a substance naturally found in your body.

Your kidneys typically remove uric acid from your blood. However, if your body produces too much uric acid or your kidneys can't clear it from your blood fast enough, the uric acid turns into needlelike crystals.

In addition to being found naturally in your body, purines are also present in food, including bread. And the more purines you eat, the higher your risk is of your uric acid levels rising. The Arthritis Foundation notes that foods high in purines include anchovies, sardines, organ meats, bacon, turkey, and alcohol. Other meats like beef, chicken, and pork also have moderate amounts of purines.

Bread, on the other hand, isn’t known as a high-purine food, according to the UK Gout Society, so it is safe to eat in moderation. A low-purine diet was once recommended as a treatment for gout. However, according to the Arthritis Foundation, the gout diet is too restrictive and it’s impossible to limit purines altogether. So your best bet is to keep a log of which high-purine foods trigger your symptoms, so you know what to limit in the future.

Foods to Avoid With Gout

If you have gout and notice that high-purine foods are triggering or worsening your symptoms, it may be helpful to reduce your intake of them. Mayo Clinic lists several foods you should limit if you have gout. These include:

• Organ meats like liver or kidney
• Beef
• Lamb
• Pork
• Anchovies
• Shellfish
• Sardines
• Foods with high-fructose corn syrup such as baked goods or canned soups
• Alcohol

However, everyone’s bodies are different. And if you notice foods that are worsening your individual symptoms, it’s a good idea to keep a log of it so you know to avoid eating them.

Foods to Eat With Gout

While you may need to make some dietary changes with gout, there are still plenty of foods that you can eat. The National Kidney Foundation recommends the following gout-friendly options:

• Low-fat milk, yogurt, and kefir
• Cherries
• Berries
• Citrus fruits
• Lentils
• Black beans
• Chickpeas
• Tofu
• Whole grains, including bread

Having an inflammatory condition like gout can be frustrating to live with sometimes. Symptoms may fluctuate and your dietary needs (or triggers) can vary. But being patient with yourself, keeping track of the foods you’re eating, and working with your healthcare team can make it easier to navigate the journey.