[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/a-low-purine-diet-for-kidney-stones-and-gout\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/a-low-purine-diet-for-kidney-stones-and-gout\/","headline":"A Low-Purine Diet for Kidney Stones and Gout","name":"A Low-Purine Diet for Kidney Stones and Gout","description":"Find a low-purine diet plan, foods to avoid, and a sample low-purine menu to help with kidney stones, gout, and other urologic problems.","datePublished":"2016-01-20","dateModified":"2025-12-04","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","name":"Urology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/urology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/urology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/low-purine-diet.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/low-purine-diet.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/a-low-purine-diet-for-kidney-stones-and-gout\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Urology"],"wordCount":1118,"keywords":["gout","kidney stones","urology"],"articleBody":"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\u2019s 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 goutExcess 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 stonesWhen 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 AvoidConsider the following information when choosing which foods to include in a low-purine diet and which to avoid:Breads, cereals, rice, and pastaLow-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.FruitLow-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\u2019re high in fat.Milk and dairy productsLow-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 goodMilk and Dairy ProductsChooseAvoid2 servings each day.Serving size = 1 cup milk or yogurt.Skim or low-fat milk.Low-fat yogurt.Whole milk and cream.Sour cream.VegetablesChooseAvoid3 servings each day.Serving size = 1 cup raw. 1\/2 cup cooked or chopped.All vegetables.Limit to 2 servings per week: mushrooms, dried peas and beans, spinach, asparagus, and cauliflower.High-fat cooking, such as au gratin, fried foods, and cream sauces.Meats, Poultry, Fish, Dried Beans, Peas, Eggs, and CheeseChooseAvoidTotal of 6 oz daily.Serving size = 2-3 oz cooked. 1 egg.1 oz of meat = 1\/2 cup cooked beans, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, or 1 oz of cheese.Beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, fish.Eggs.Peanut butter, nuts.Low-fat cheese.Limit to 2 servings per week: dried peas and beans.Sweetbreads, liver, kidneys, brains, heart.Anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, scallops, mussels.Goose.Gravies, meat extracts.Mincemeat.Fats, Condiments, and DrinksChooseAvoidSalt, herbs, spices, and condiments.Carbonated drinks, coffee, cocoa, and tea.Soups made with low-fat milk and vegetable-based broth.Limit to 3 teaspoons daily: butter, margarine, oils, and mayonnaise.Baker\u2019s and brewer\u2019s yeast.Alcohol.Meat gravies.Meat stock-based soups such as bouillon, broth, and consomm\u00e9.Snacks, Sweets, and DessertsChooseAvoidGelatin, ice milk, vanilla wafers, angel food cake.Low-fat frozen yogurt.High-fat desserts, such as ice cream, cookies, cakes, pies, doughnuts, and chocolate.Mincemeat pie.Sample Menu for a Low-Purine DietBreakfast1\/2 cup orange juice1\/2 cup farinaBerriesWhite toast with jelly and one teaspoon of margarine1 cup 2% milkCoffeeLunchHamburger (3 oz) on bunBaked potato with one teaspoon of margarine1 cup fruit salad2% milkDinnerTossed salad with fat-free salad dressing1\/2 cup chicken breast (3 oz.) without skin1\/2 cup rice1\/2 cup broccoliDinner roll with 1 teaspoon of margarine1\/2 cup sherbetIced teaTips for Following a Low-Purine DietQuick tips when you’re on a low-purine diet:Avoid or limit alcohol \u2014 Alcohol increases purine production, leading to higher uric acid levels in your blood and urine.Don’t crash diet \u2014 If you’re overweight, lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can increase uric acid levels.Don’t take yeast supplements \u2014 Baker’s and brewer’s yeast supplements are high in purines.Eat enough carbs \u2014 They help your body get rid of extra uric acid.Hydrate \u2014 Drink 8 to 12 cups of fluid daily to help reduce kidney stone formation.Limit high-fat foods \u2014 Fat holds onto uric acid in your kidneys.Limit meat \u2014 Eat a maximum of 3 ounces per meal.Common Mistakes on a Low-Purine DietWhen on a low-purine diet, be careful that you’re not:Eating too much fat \u2014 Fat slows the elimination of uric acid from the kidneys.Overlooking sauces and gravies \u2014 Many sauces and processed foods contain hidden purines.Skipping carbs \u2014 Healthy carbs like rice and pasta can help your body excrete uric acid more efficiently.Hydration and a Low-Purine Diet: Why Water Is KeyProper 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 StepsA 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\u2019s 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 January 20, 2016, and was last reviewed on December 4, 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"A Low-Purine Diet for Kidney Stones and Gout","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/a-low-purine-diet-for-kidney-stones-and-gout\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]