Eating too many foods containing purines may increase the levels of uric acid in your body and increase your risk for a gout attack. It may be best to limit these high-purine foods:

• Alcohol (beer and red wine). You may be told to avoid alcohol completely.

• Certain fish (anchovies, sardines, fish roes, herring, tuna, mussels, codfish, scallops, trout, and haddock)

• Certain meats (red meat, processed meat, bacon, turkey, wild game, and goose)

• Sauces and gravies made with meat

• Organ meats (such as liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, and tripe)

• Legumes (such as dried beans and peas)

• Mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, and cauliflower

• Yeast and yeast extract supplements

Some foods may be helpful for people with gout. You may want to try adding some of the following foods to your diet:

• Dark berries. These include blueberries, blackberries, and cherries. These berries contain chemicals that may lower uric acid.

• Tofu. Tofu, which is made from soy, is a good source of protein. Studies have shown that it may be a better choice than meat for people with gout.

• Omega fatty acids. These acids are found in fatty fish (such as salmon), certain oils (such as flax, olive, or nut oils), or nuts. They may help prevent inflammation due to gout.

The following guidelines are recommended by the American Medical Association for people with gout. Your diet should be:

• High in fiber, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

• Low in protein (15% of calories should come from protein. Choose lean sources, such as soy, lean meats, and poultry).

• Low in fat (no more than 30% of calories should come from fat, with only 10% coming from animal, or saturated, fat).