Gout is caused by uric acid building up in your senior’s body and there’s more that she can do about that than she might have thought. Some of the foods your senior eats on a regular basis could be making gout flares more common or more severe. Avoiding some of the foods that are highest in purine levels can help.
Meat, Particularly Red Meat
Meat can be a healthy food for your senior, especially if it’s lean. It’s high in protein and red meat in particular contains plenty of iron. But it’s also high in purines, which are not great for someone who is already prone to gout. Other sources of meat, like poultry and even pork, are lower in purine levels and may be a better option for someone with gout. If you can convince your senior to try out plant-based proteins, that might even be better.
Fish and Other Seafood
Fish and seafood are high in protein and they’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids. That often means they’re a recommended source of protein for older adults. But a lot of the seafood that your senior might choose could also be high in purine levels. Tuna is a common choice, for example, and it’s easy to use in its canned form. But it’s one of the culprits your senior may want to avoid.
Drinks and Foods with High Fructose Levels
Fructose, or other sources of sugar, are another item for the avoid list when it comes to gout. Sugary drinks can be the biggest culprit in your elderly family member’s diet. That might mean that sodas and juices are off limits. You can look for beverages that are not overly sweetened, but another option is to help her to stick with plain water for hydration.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol is a diuretic, which is part of the problem when it comes to gout. But some alcoholic beverages can be higher in purines, which makes them even more of an issue. An occasional alcoholic drink may be okay, but if your senior is experiencing frequent issues with gout flares, then she may want to eliminate alcohol entirely from her diet.
Making big changes to your senior’s diet may not be as easy as you hope. If she’s used to eating a certain way, it may feel like too much effort for her to handle all of that on her own. Senior care providers can make adopting a healthier eating plan a lot easier. They can tackle the heavy parts of the task and your senior can enjoy eating well.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering senior care in Englewood, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today. Call us at (303) 756-9322.
