Gout is a condition, which arises due to elevation of uric acid in the body. Uric acid is formed in the body itself. It is a result of the metabolic activities of the body. During such metabolic activities some substances form the body, are transformed into uric acid. The food that we eat is the source of such substances and therefore it is possible reduce the intake of such substances by keeping control over what we eat.
Therefore, gout diet should usually be followed by gout patients.

The basic substances from which uric acid is formed in the body are purines. Purines are present in a number of items in our diet. Moreover, they are required by our body though in small proportions. Therefore, it is neither advisable nor possible to completely, avoid them. The only thing that can be done for an ideal gout diet is, reduce their intake i.e. avoid the food items in which they are present in very high amounts.

The non-vegetarian foods especially the red meat, and seafoods have high purine contents. More precisely some parts as liver brain, heart, sweetbreads, kidneys are have the highest contents of purines. Therefore, they should be definitely avoided in the gout diet. While the other parts can be eaten, but that too, should be within a limit.

The popular drinks, which many people will find different to avoid like tea, coffee, chocolate, coca, and alcoholic drinks as well, have high purine content. Therefore, an ideal gout diet should not include them. if avoiding them is not possible at least their consumption should be reduced.

Also the foods as sugary fruits, some vegetables as lentils, beans also contain more amounts of purines. However eating them has several other advantages, which can benefit the patients. Their advantages far outweigh the disadvantage of eating them. Therefore, an ideal gout diet should not avoid them.

In addition, weight plays an important role in the symptoms of gout. This is because more weight puts more stress on the joints and thus increases the symptoms. Therefore most of the times if the gout patient is overweight he is advised to reduce his weight. Diet can help for this purpose too. The ideal gout diet will include reduction in the intake of excess of calories but this should be managed without any cut down on the essential nutrients.

Gout diet does not cure the patient from gout. However, it plays a very crucial role in controlling it.  If patients follow right and effective gout diet, they can prevent occurrence of gout attacks.