How to Adapt Your Diet During a Gout Attack?

Dietary adaptation during a gout attack constitutes a crucial element of treatment, often neglected by patients. This nutritional approach, combined with medication treatment, can considerably reduce symptom intensity and accelerate attack resolution.

According to French High Authority for Health recommendations, dietary modification during acute phases represents an essential complementary therapeutic measure. A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism in 2023 demonstrates that patients following specific nutritional recommendations during attacks see their symptom duration reduced by 30% on average.

This article details dietary strategies to adopt immediately during an attack to optimize your recovery and minimize joint inflammation.

Enhanced Hydration: The Absolute Priority

Fluid Objective During Attack

Increasing fluid intake represents the most important nutritional measure to implement from the first symptoms. Medical recommendations advocate:

• 3 to 4 liters of water per day (vs. 1.5 L usually)
• Regular distribution: 200-250 mL every hour
• Maintaining this hydration until 48h after symptom end
• Monitoring urine color (objective: very light yellow)

Recommended Types of Liquids

Priority beverages:

• Quality still water (avoid highly mineralized waters)
• Caffeine-free herbal teas (chamomile, lime, verbena)
• Low-salt vegetable broths
• Lemon water (1 squeezed lemon in 1L water)

Liquids to absolutely avoid:

• Alcohol in all forms
• Sodas and sugary drinks
• Industrial fruit juices
• Energy drinks

According to USDA FoodData Central data, optimal hydration facilitates uric acid elimination through kidneys and can reduce its blood concentration by 15 to 20%.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Favor

Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables

Certain plants possess anti-inflammatory properties particularly beneficial during attacks:

Recommended fruits (150-200g portions per day):

• Fresh or frozen cherries (proven anti-inflammatory effect)
• Berries: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
• Citrus: orange, grapefruit, lemon
• Apples and pears (with skin)

Anti-inflammatory vegetables:

• Leafy greens: spinach, arugula, lamb's lettuce
• Broccoli and Brussels sprouts
• Tomatoes (despite misconceptions, they contain few purines)
• Cucumber and zucchini
• Red and yellow peppers

Whole Grains and Legumes

Contrary to popular belief, certain legumes can be maintained with moderation:

• Red lentils (moderate purine content)
• Quinoa and buckwheat
• Brown rice and oats
• Whole sourdough bread

Important: Purine-rich legumes (chickpeas, red beans) should be limited to one portion per week maximum during the attack.

Foods to Absolutely Avoid

Purine-Rich Animal Proteins

Certain proteins must be completely eliminated during the acute phase:

Temporary prohibitions:

• Organ meats: liver, kidneys, brain, heart
• Deli meats and smoked meats
• Seafood: mussels, oysters, shrimp
• Fatty fish: sardines, anchovies, mackerel
• Concentrated meat broths

Meats to drastically limit:

• Beef and pork: maximum 50g every 2 days
• Skinless poultry: 75g maximum per day
• Lean white fish: 100g twice per week

For more details on nutritional management, consult our complete anti-gout diet guide detailing long-term strategies.

Pro-Inflammatory Beverages and Foods

To completely eliminate for 7-10 days:

• Alcohol (beer particularly harmful)
• Fructose-sweetened sodas and drinks
• Ultra-processed products rich in additives
• Fried foods and saturated fat-rich foods
• Industrial pastries and confectionery

Sample Menu During a Gout Attack

Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast

Option 1:

• 1 bowl of oat flakes with plant milk
• 150g red berries
• 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
• Green tea or herbal tea

Option 2:

• 2 slices whole grain bread
• 1/2 mashed avocado
• Cherry tomatoes
• 1 glass lemon water

Balanced Lunch

• Spinach green salad (200g)
• 75g grilled chicken breast
• Quinoa with vegetables (150g cooked)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 apple
• 2 glasses water

Light Dinner

• Homemade vegetable soup (300ml)
• 100g steamed white fish
• Broccoli and zucchini (200g)
• 1 plain yogurt
• Chamomile tea

Nutritional Supplements During Attack

Recommended Supplementation

Certain supplements can support the body during the acute phase, always under medical supervision:

Beneficial supplements:

• Vitamin C: 500-1000mg per day (uricosuric effect)
• Omega-3: 1-2g per day (anti-inflammatory action)
• Magnesium: 300-400mg (muscle relaxation)
• Probiotics: intestinal flora support

Important precautions:

• Avoid vitamin A-rich multivitamin complexes
• Limit protein supplements
• Monitor interactions with current treatments

If you experience emergency symptoms, refer to our essential emergency actions guide for immediate management.

Progressive Return to Normal Diet

Transition Phase (D+7 to D+14)

Return to a more varied diet must be done progressively:

Week 1 post-attack:

• Reintroduction of legumes (1 portion every 3 days)
• Progressive increase in animal protein portions
• Maintaining enhanced hydration (2.5L minimum)
• Daily symptom monitoring

Week 2 post-attack:

• Return to normal portions of lean meats
• Tolerance test with one glass red wine (if desired)
• Reintroduction of fatty fish (1 portion per week)
• Overall condition assessment

Alarm Signals During Reintroduction

Immediately stop reintroduction if:

• Residual joint pain intensifies
• Swelling reappears
• Heat sensation in joint
• Unusual fatigue

For optimal symptom management, consult our article on how to quickly relieve a gout attack.

Monitoring and Nutritional Adjustments

Monitoring Tools During Attack

Parameters to monitor daily:

• Urine volume (objective: notable increase)
• Urine color (hydration indicator)
• Pain intensity (scale of 1 to 10)
• Sleep quality
• Appetite and digestion

Adaptations According to Evolution

According to an NIH study published in 2024, personalized nutritional adaptation improves therapeutic outcomes by 40% compared to standard diet.

If rapid improvement (48-72h):

• Maintain strict diet for 7 complete days
• Begin nutritional transition progressively
• Plan medical follow-up

If stagnation or worsening:

• Strengthen hydration (up to 4L/day)
• Eliminate all purine sources
• Consult quickly for therapeutic adjustment

To identify signs requiring emergency consultation, consult our guide on emergency during gout attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you fast during a gout attack?

Fasting is formally discouraged during a gout attack. Abrupt dietary restriction can increase uric acid production and worsen symptoms. Favor light but regular eating.

How long to maintain this strict diet?

The adapted diet should be followed throughout the attack duration plus 48-72 hours after complete symptom disappearance, generally 7 to 10 days total.

Are mineral waters recommended?

Weakly mineralized waters are preferable during the attack. Avoid sodium-rich waters. Bicarbonate-rich waters may have beneficial effect on uric acid elimination.

Can you take vitamin C supplements?

Vitamin C at moderate dose (500-1000mg/day) can be beneficial as it promotes kidney elimination of uric acid. However, consult your doctor before adding any supplement, especially if taking anticoagulants.

What to do in case of significant loss of appetite?

In case of appetite loss, favor vegetable broths, smoothies with authorized fruits, and imperatively maintain hydration. If anorexia persists more than 48 hours, consult your doctor to avoid complications.