Behavioral Change Due to Gout Attack

[birdman2003]

Well, it's happened.  My years of poor diet and no exercise have caught up to me.  At the age of 29, I am now having painful gout attacks thanks to high levels of uric acid in my blood.
It's not a matter of education, I know what I need to do.  I just need to consistently do it for the rest of my life and not get derailed as I have so many times before.
My doctor challenged me to lose weight and improve my eating habits, nothing new there.  The Mr. Money Mustache blog and forum has challenged me to save money on my grocery bill (largest controllable expense for me right now).  My doctor wants to see me in 2 months and recheck my uric acid levels.  That gives me two months to replace my habits with new ones.

And because the gout attacks are so painful, I think this time I'll actually change.

Changes I have already started this week:
- Eat breakfast every day

Changes to make starting this week:
- No soda, fruit juice, or beer
- Replace with strictly water only

Changes to make starting next week:
- Bring a lunch to work every day

Changes to make in July:
- 2 meals per week max that contain steak/beef
- No fast food meals unless traveling
- If traveling, max of 1 fast food stop per 8 hour trip

[FuckRx]

go vegan, completely cut out bread, rice only 2-3x per week and just a small cup if that. go to town on fruits and veggies. small portions of legumes since they have the purines too that can cause gout flares. good luck

[1967mama]

My husband had a gout attack a year ago (his first and only). The change in diet has 100% eliminated this painful malady from his life -- added side benefit, lost weight and feels younger and fitter than ever (he is pushing 50). Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! ( p.s. Black cherry juice from the health food store was a big help too .. 1 cup per day).

[Rural]

( p.s. Black cherry juice from the health food store was a big help too .. 1 cup per day).

Anything that's actually cherry, including fresh or frozen cherries. They also don't have to be taken daily, though it's good to know there's some preventative value. They also help tremendously with attacks, as in completely recovered in 12 hours or so. They've made a world of difference for my husband. Change in diet has resulted in far fewer attacks, too, though his diet was pretty good to begin with (no more pork chops as a low-fat meat option here).

[Pegasus]

There are other fruits higher in anthocyanadins than black cherries -- elderberries, for instance.  Can look at USDAs publications or OSU micronutrient research center for data.

[Rural]

There are other fruits higher in anthocyanadins than black cherries -- elderberries, for instance.  Can look at USDAs publications or OSU micronutrient research center for data.

Didn't know that, thanks! My elderberries are ripening now. I lost my winter supply this year when my freezer died, and I don't go without because it's our flu preventative, so I also have about half a pound of dried elderberries left over  from a pound I bought online a few days after I discovered the dead freezer. It's easier to get my husband to eat elderberries regularly than cherries (he loves elderberry muffins). Guess I have a cooking project this weekend...

[birdman2003]

Thanks all.  Feeling better this week.  I'll for sure post the updates of my uric acid blood level when I get it tested again in August.  It was a 9 (not sure what scale) and supposed to be 6 or less.

[Sonorous Epithet]

Those are great changes to make! And I think they are totally doable -- just stick with the habits and climb back on the horse if and when you fall off. I've given up or cut back on a lot of stuff on that list and I don't particularly miss it. I don't miss soda (maybe once a month), I don't miss red meat (maybe once every 1-2 weeks), and I think a big glass of regular tap water sounds quite lovely right now -- in fact, I'll think I'll have two, if you don't mind.

[okashira]

Wild blueberries from Costco. Suckers have an insane amount of fiber.
Make a great desert right out of the freezer. Just eat them, don't add anything.