Low-Purine Diet
Best Bets
- Beverages (carbonated)
- Butter
- Cereals and cereal products
- Cheese (all kinds)
- Cocoa (however, caffeine is prohibited in Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome)
- Corn
- Cornbread
- Eggs
- Fruit juices
- Fruits
- Gelatin
- Ice cream
- Milk
- Noodles
- Nuts
- Refined wheat flour
- Tapioca
- Vegetables (except those noted above)
- White bread and crackers (but not whole wheat, which is moderately high in purines)
- White rice
Foods to Avoid
To avoid purines ask about ingredients at restaurants and others’ homes, and read food labels. The following list is not complete. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet.
The following foods have very high purine levels, and should be avoided completely:
- Anchovies
- Bouillon
- Brains
- Broth
- Consommé
- Dried legumes
- Goose
- Gravy
- Heart
- Herring
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Mackerel
- Meat extracts
- Mincement
- Mussels
- Partridge
- Roe
- Sardines
- Scallops
- Shrimp
- Sweetbreads
- Yeast (baker’s and brewer’s)
- Yeast extracts (for example, Marmite, Vegemite)
These foods have high purine levels
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Poultry
- Meat (except those with very high purine content, noted above, or those with moderately high purine levels, noted below)
These foods have moderately high purine levels
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.