Can people with high uric acid levels eat tofu?

Jul 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, people with high uric acid levels can consume tofu, but should do so in moderation. Although tofu is suitable for consumption, intake should be controlled to avoid excessive purine intake. It is recommended to use light cooking methods such as steaming or cold mixing, and avoid combining tofu with high-purine ingredients or adding excessive oil, fat, or sauces. Additionally, tofu consumption should be considered within the context of the overall diet.

Generally, people with high uric acid levels can consume tofu, but they should do so in moderation. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Tofu is considered a medium-to-low purine food. During its production process, soybeans undergo soaking, grinding, and coagulation steps, during which some purines dissolve into the water, significantly lowering the purine content of tofu compared to raw soybeans. Consuming tofu in reasonable amounts will not cause a significant increase in blood uric acid levels or burden uric acid metabolism. Moreover, tofu is rich in high-quality plant protein, providing essential amino acids to the body, and its dietary fiber helps promote intestinal motility, aiding metabolic regulation. Additionally, tofu is low in calories and rich in minerals such as calcium and iron, supplying nutrients without easily causing obesity, which benefits uric acid control by maintaining a healthy weight.

Although tofu is suitable for consumption, intake should be controlled to avoid excessive total purine intake. It is recommended to use light cooking methods such as steaming or cold mixing, avoiding pairing with high-purine ingredients or adding excessive oil, sauces, or seasonings. Furthermore, tofu consumption should be integrated with an overall balanced diet, combined with other low-purine foods like vegetables and whole grains, ensuring nutritional balance. Fried tofu products are not recommended to minimize additional calorie intake.

Related Articles

View All