Guide To Safe, Gout-Friendly Snacks

Gout, a type of arthritis, is the buildup of uric acid in the blood. This waste crystallizes and settles around the joints. Thus, it causes joint pain, swelling, and inflammation! Uric acid is meant to help digest foods with purine (a chemical). Many people don’t have trouble with uric acid. However, excess acid can be due to the body being incapable of removing it efficiently, genetics, even diet! Gout attacks and diet often go hand in hand. Food triggers include red meat, alcohol, seafood, and sugary drinks.

Thankfully, gout is treatable. First-line treatment for gout often includes medication. This typically includes anti-inflammatories and steroids for gout pain relief medication. However, colchicine for gout attacks is also an option. Many even recommend a cherry supplement for gout! Of course, with the influence of diet on gout attacks, it’s important to have safe gout-friendly snacks to eat.

Small Bowl Full Of Cherries

This one comes as no surprise given the idea cherry supplements help treat gout. A small bowl full of juicy cherries is perfect for those with gout to snack on during the day! Many studies have shown cherries reduce uric acid in the blood. This prevents gout attacks and even reduces their severity when they do occur.

They are also incredible at boosting the effectiveness of a gout medication called allopurinol. In fact, one study reported those who ate cherries and took this medication were 75 percent less likely to have a gout attack than those who didn’t do either. So pull out that bowl of cherries in the afternoon!

Handful Of Nuts

We know red meat isn’t recommended for gout. However, not eating red meat takes away a lot of protein from the diet! Thankfully, there’s an easy way to replace it. How? A snack consisting of a handful of nuts! Walnuts and almonds, for instance, offer a good alternative source of protein but without the purine found in red meat.

Everyone with gout can keep their energy up in the morning by eating a handful of almonds while they work. Pecans, macadamia nuts, cashews, and even peanuts can all make up a handful of mixed nuts. Rotate the nuts chosen for the best effects and to keep everything in moderation.

Low-Fat Cheese And Crackers

Full-fat cheese and similar dairy products might not be the best choice for those with gout, but yes, it is still possible to have cheese and crackers as a snack! Low-fat cheese and crackers are a great snack for people with gout. The inclusion of cheese still allows people to get calcium in their diet, which they need for strong bones! But making it low-fat ensures it won’t trigger a gout attack nearly as much as full-fat dairy products do. What’s more, but complex carbs are said to be quite powerful at flushing excess uric acid out of the body. So adding some whole-grain crackers is a perfect choice here!