Dear Dr. Fritz,
Please call me Margarita. I have gout and I have been given the gout diet guide. I am really quite disappointed because there are foods that I do love that are listed on those that I have to avoid. Do I really need to follow this gout diet?
Thanks and God bless.
Margarita 2021
Dear Margarita 2021,
I understand your concern. It does hurt to skip those foods that you really like. But, if they hurt you, then, you have to decide which is more important to you.
On following the gout diet, here is the real truth: There is no specific diet that is required except foods that you should eat to make you healthy. Simply put, eating healthy only means – you have to eat more fruits, low-fat dairy, vegetables, less of the fried foods, less of those sugar laden foods - like sugary soft drinks, packed fruit juices, dried sweetened fruits and of course, less junk foods, and just the allowable amount of alcohol and meat.
Now, if you start taking your medicines early, you can eat moderate amounts of meat and alcohol and may not give you major harm. And if your systems are in control you can give yourself very occasional junk foods.
What you can do at the moment is to eat healthy, stay hydrated, and be active. Although, you may not strictly follow the gout diet given to you, but, should you feel gout attacks in any of the foods listed on those that you need to avoid, then, you have to let them go.
Moreover, be properly educated about gout. See your physician. You can talk to them, follow their advice and if prescribed, take your medicines properly. And of course, always keep your uric acid in check. Be sure, this is below 6mg/dl (or < 375 umol/L).
Good luck!
Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.”. For your questions, you may e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)