Can I eat lean meat with gout arthritis?
Disease description:
I suffer from gouty arthritis and frequently experience joint pain, especially in my toes and ankles. I am currently undergoing active treatment and am paying close attention to my diet. I know I should avoid high-purine foods, but can I eat lean meat? Is the purine content in lean meat high?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Gouty arthritis patients can consume small amounts of lean meat.
The occurrence of gouty arthritis is closely related to abnormal uric acid metabolism. Consuming high-purine foods can elevate blood uric acid levels, thus triggering or worsening gout symptoms. Therefore, patients need to carefully select their food, especially meats, in their daily diet.
1. Choose low-purine meats: Compared with fatty meat and organ meats, lean meat contains lower levels of purines and is a relatively safer choice for patients with gouty arthritis. Chicken, fish, lean beef, and lean pork are good sources of protein, and moderate consumption can positively help control the condition.
2. Cooking methods: Low-fat, low-oil cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, and stewing are recommended. Avoid high-temperature cooking methods such as grilling and frying to reduce the production of harmful substances like heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in meat. These methods can also help reduce the purine content of the food.
3. Control portion sizes: Although lean meat is relatively safe, excessive consumption may still increase blood uric acid levels. Patients are advised to limit intake to reduce the risk of gout attacks.
Therefore, patients with gouty arthritis should minimize consumption of lean meat and choose low-fat, low-salt, low-purine foods such as vegetables and fruits to promote recovery from the disease.
