Gout-Friendly Eating on the 4th of July

There are many ways to celebrate the 4^th of July, but one you may wish to consider is the July 4^thExtravaganza held in Town of Union, NY. Some of the reasons this event can be a memorable for you and your family include the kids’ triathlon, chicken bar-b-que, and, naturally, the spectacular fireworks display to cap off the celebration of our nation’s birth.

As with many holidays, food can be a big part of the 4^th. Just above, we had mentioned the chicken bar-b-que—which is quite delicious—as one of the draws for this event. If you or one of your family members live with gout, though, you always need to have a menu comprised of gout-friendly eating options.

Gout is an arthritic condition caused by uric acid, which is a natural byproduct of food breakdown. When the body produces too much uric acid, or cannot properly filter it out, issues arise. Food choices play a role in this because some foods (those high in purines) lead to greater amounts of uric acid produced than others do.

Choose Your Foods Wisely

When it comes to eating right for gout, adhere to dietary choices like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, lean meats (in limited amounts), and low-fat dairy products, and drink lots of water. Conversely, it is important to avoid or limit the amount of seafood, bacon, organ meats (liver, etc.), sweets (candy, baked goods), alcohol, and sugary beverages consumed.

With this in mind, you may want your 4^th of July meals to resemble these:

• Breakfast – Fresh berries, a whole grain cereal, and low-fat milk. Enjoy a cup of coffee and then drink a full glass of water.
• Lunch – Enjoy some chicken on a whole grain roll and a side salad of mixed greens topped with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Once again, wash it down with another glass of water.
• Afternoon snack – Eat a cup of cherries and drink a glass of water (yes, there’s a theme here!).
• Dinner – Grilled chicken, roasted green beans, and ½ cup of whole-grain pasta. Probably no big surprise, but stick with water as your beverage. For dessert, choose some low-fat yogurt and a cup of fresh melon.

A meal plan like this demonstrates gout-friendly eating, but you may need additional measures to help manage the condition. Southern Tier Podiatry can help! Call us for more information at (607) 217-5668 or schedule an appointment with our Broome County, NY office online today.