Is Chinese Food Bad for Gout? Tips on Managing Gout with Chinese Cuisine

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. This can lead to the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints, resulting in sudden pain, swelling, and tenderness.

Diet plays a major role in gout. Foods high in purines can raise uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks. This leads many gout sufferers to wonder - is Chinese food bad for gout?

In this article, we'll look at how Chinese foods may affect gout and provide tips on building a gout-friendly Chinese diet.

Understanding Purines in Chinese Foods

Purines are natural compounds found in some foods. When the body breaks down purines, it produces uric acid as a waste product. Too much uric acid contributes to gout flare-ups.

Many traditional Chinese foods contain moderate to high levels of purines, including:

Shellfish - shrimp, lobster, crab, mussels
Oily fish - mackerel, anchovies, sardines
Organ meats - liver, kidneys, sweetbreads
Game meats - goose, duck, venison
Yeast extracts - Vegemite, Marmite, brewer's yeast
Gravies and broths made with meat drippings

These foods are not inherently bad, but eaten in excess, they could raise purine levels too high for some with gout. Moderating them is key for gout management.

Chinese Foods Lower in Purines

The good news is many traditional Chinese foods are lower in purines and can be enjoyed in a gout diet. These include:

White rice, noodles, buns
Tofu, edamame, tempeh
Eggs
Nuts and seeds - peanuts, almonds, sesame seeds
Vegetables - bok choy, bean sprouts, napa cabbage, mushrooms
Fruits - lychees, oranges, pineapple, Asian pears
Tea and Chrysanthemum tea

Building meals around these foods can allow those with gout to still enjoy Chinese cuisine.

Tips for an Gout-Friendly Chinese Diet

Here are some helpful tips for managing gout while still being able to indulge in Chinese food:

1. Limit high-purine proteins

Moderate your intake of shellfish, organ meats, fatty fish, and meats like duck that are higher in purines. Avoid eating more than 4-6 oz in a day.

2. Fill up on low-purine foods

Enjoy unlimited amounts of rice, noodles, vegetables, tofu, eggs, seeds, nuts, and fruits as these are lower in purines.

3. Choose cooking methods wisely

Steaming, boiling, and stir-frying are healthier cooking methods. Avoid deep-frying which adds extra fat and calories.

4. Limit yeast extracts

Go easy on condiments like Vegemite, Marmite, and brewer's yeast as they are high in purines.

5. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids like water, green tea, or hibiscus tea which may help flush uric acid.

6. Watch gravy/sauce ingredients

Ask for sauces and gravies to be prepared without meat drippings or broths that use high-purine meats.

7. Take medication as prescribed

If on gout medication, take as directed to help keep uric acid levels in check.

Best Chinese Food Options for Gout

Here are some of the top Chinese dishes and meals that are gout-friendly:

Vegetable Stir-Fries

Stir-fry a rainbow of veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, snap peas, baby bok choy or other cabbage, carrots, etc. Serve over a bed of white rice or rice noodles.

Buddha's Delight

This traditional Chinese vegetable dish contains napa cabbage, mushrooms, tofu or tempeh, broccoli and other veggies braised in a light sauce. Hearty and nourishing but low in purines.

Spring Rolls

Fresh spring rolls wrapped in rice paper with shrimp, lettuce, mint, vermicelli, and wrapped with peanut sauce are lower in purines than fried versions.

Congee or Jook

Rice porridge made with chicken broth and topped with eggs, scallions, toasted nuts/seeds, and pickled veggies makes a soothing low-purine meal.

Stir-Fried Tofu and Veggies

Silky soft tofu stir-fried Chinese eggplant, bell peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms served over brown rice is a plant-based gout-friendly option.

Foods to Avoid with Gout

On the flip side, these Chinese dishes tend to be higher in purines and are best minimized or avoided entirely if you suffer from gout:

Shellfish - shrimp, lobster, crab
Fatty fish - salmon, mackerel, sardines
Organ meats - liver, kidneys, gizzards
High-fat meats - Peking duck, char siu pork
Rich gravies and sauces made with meat broths

The Takeaway

Gout and Chinese food can co-exist when attention is paid to purine levels. Focus on vegetable, whole grain, tofu, and egg dishes cooked with healthier methods. Limit high-fat meats and organ meats which are higher in purines. With some modifications, you can still enjoy the flavors of Chinese cuisine even with gout.

FAQs

Is all Chinese food high in purines?

No, many Chinese dishes like white rice, noodles, vegetables, tofu and eggs are actually lower in purines. The highest purines are found in organ meats, shellfish, fatty fish, and certain sauces.

What Chinese foods should I avoid with gout?

Avoid shellfish, organ meats, fatty fish, rich gravies made with meat broths. Limit high-fat meats like duck and pork. These are highest in purines.

Can I eat orange chicken if I have gout?

Orange chicken is fried and saucy, so not the best choice. But you can make it more gout-friendly by using white meat or tofu, baking instead of frying, and limiting the sauce.

Is Chow Mein bad for gout?

Chow Mein can be fine in moderation, if made with lots of veggies vs. meat. Avoid high-sodium sauces. Noodle-based dishes are usually better than rice-based ones.

What are the best foods to eat at a Chinese restaurant with gout?

Choose vegetable stir-fries, Buddha's Delight, spring rolls, congee, egg drop soup. Fill up on veggies, tofu, rice/noodles, and limit high-purine foods.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.