When too much uric acid causes a health issue like kidney stones or gout, your doctor may recommend a low-purine diet.
On a low-purine diet, you focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and fewer high-purine foods, such as red meat, seafood, and alcohol.
Here’s what you need to know about following a low-purine diet plan, including what foods to eat and avoid, and how to stay on track.
Why Eat a Low-Purine Diet?
A low-purine diet can lower levels of uric acid, a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines. Substances found in many foods and drinks, purines account for 15% of the body’s uric acid.
Doctors link high uric acid levels in the blood (hyperuricemia) and urine (hyperuricosuria) to gout and kidney stones. Often, they recommend a low-purine diet along with medication. But sometimes, people can reduce their uric acid levels through diet alone.
Purines and gout
Excess uric acid forms painful crystals in the joints of people with gout. Not everyone needs to follow a rigid gout diet, but avoiding foods high in purines can help prevent future attacks and joint damage.
Low-purine diet for kidney stones
When crystals collect in the kidneys, they cause kidney stones, severe pain, and urinary problems. Because a low-purine diet helps to reduce uric acid levels, it can ease symptoms and lower the risk of having more kidney stones.
Sometimes, doctors advise people who’ve had an organ transplant to eat a low-purine diet, too.
Low-Purine Diet: Foods to Choose and Avoid
Consider the following information when choosing which foods to include in a low-purine diet and which to avoid:
Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta
Low-purine diet guidelines for this food group can include the following:
- Consume no more than six to 11 servings each day.
- Examples of serving sizes include one slice of bread; 1 cup ready-to-eat cereal; 1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice, or pasta.
- Choose all enriched breads, cereals, rice, noodles, pasta, and potatoes.
- Limit your intake to two servings per week: whole-grain breads and cereals, wheat germ, bran, and oatmeal.
- Avoid high-fat breads like French toast, biscuits, muffins, and pancakes.
Fruit
Low-purine diet guidelines for this food group can include the following:
- Two to four servings each day is best.
- Examples of appropriate serving sizes include one medium-size piece of fresh fruit, 1/2 cup of canned fruit, and 3/4 cup of fruit juice.
- All fruit and fruit juices are good choices for a low-purine diet.
- You will want to avoid avocados, though, because they’re high in fat.
Milk and dairy products
Low-purine diet guidelines for this food group can include the following:
- No more than two servings each day.
- One cup of milk or yogurt is best.
- Skim or low-fat milk and low-fat yogurt are good
| Milk and Dairy Products | Choose | Avoid |
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| Vegetables | Choose | Avoid |
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| Meats, Poultry, Fish, Dried Beans, Peas, Eggs, and Cheese | Choose | Avoid |
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| Fats, Condiments, and Drinks | Choose | Avoid |
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| Snacks, Sweets, and Desserts | Choose | Avoid |
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Sample Menu for a Low-Purine Diet
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Tips for Following a Low-Purine Diet
Quick tips when you’re on a low-purine diet:
- Avoid or limit alcohol — Alcohol increases purine production, leading to higher uric acid levels in your blood and urine.
- Don’t crash diet — If you’re overweight, lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can increase uric acid levels.
- Don’t take yeast supplements — Baker’s and brewer’s yeast supplements are high in purines.
- Eat enough carbs — They help your body get rid of extra uric acid.
- Hydrate — Drink 8 to 12 cups of fluid daily to help reduce kidney stone formation.
- Limit high-fat foods — Fat holds onto uric acid in your kidneys.
- Limit meat — Eat a maximum of 3 ounces per meal.
Common Mistakes on a Low-Purine Diet
When on a low-purine diet, be careful that you’re not:
- Eating too much fat — Fat slows the elimination of uric acid from the kidneys.
- Overlooking sauces and gravies — Many sauces and processed foods contain hidden purines.
- Skipping carbs — Healthy carbs like rice and pasta can help your body excrete uric acid more efficiently.
Hydration and a Low-Purine Diet: Why Water Is Key
Proper hydration is central to managing kidney stones and gout. Drinking 8 to 12 cups of fluids daily can help dilute and flush out excess uric acid through your urine.
The best fluids to include in a low-purine diet are water, lemon water, and herbal teas. Avoid sugary sodas, too much caffeine, and alcohol, which can raise uric acid levels or lead to dehydration, worsening symptoms.
Wrap-up and Next Steps
A low-purine diet can be a powerful tool in managing gout and kidney stones, especially when combined with proper hydration and mindful eating habits.
By understanding which foods to avoid, what to enjoy in moderation, and how lifestyle choices can impact uric acid levels, you can take meaningful steps toward reducing flare-ups and protecting your kidney health.
To see if following a low-purine diet may help with your health issue, talk with your doctor or contact UPMC’s nephrology team. Our experts can answer your questions about whether a low-purine diet is right for you or help you create a personalized plan.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .