The holidays bring joyful times with family and friends, the time to reflect upon all of the blessings of life and recharge for the coming year. With all of great memories the holidays can bring, they can also bring gout flair-ups. That is why we created to share a Holiday Gout Survival Guide.
As the holidays approach, it’s very easy for little indulgences. But when you have gout, those little indulgences can be followed by big flare-ups. The best way to approach the holiday season is the same way you observe the rest of the year. This includes reducing your intake of high-purine foods, organ meat and alcohol.
But of course, with all of the holiday parties, family dinners and neighborhood get-togethers, it can be more challenging during the holiday season. That is why we put together this Holiday Gout Survival Guide.
Select the Right Type of Alcohol:
The #1 number question doctors and natural healthcare professionals are asked it this time of year: “What can I drink?” While enjoying a drink to celebrate the ringing in of the New Year or a participating in a toast at the company office party is enjoyable, you still should consider the type of alcohol to drink. According the published research, if you are going to enjoy a drink during the holidays, enjoy red wine. Liquid and beer are much more likely to trigger a flair-up.
Consider Adding Tart Cherry Juice to Your Daily Holiday Route:
According to researchers from Northubria University, 12 participants enjoyed two ounces of Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate. The participants were asked to drink one ounce in the morning and other in the evening for two days. The researchers then took both blood and urine samples. The test results of the blood and urine samples indicated uric acid was leaving the body and C-reactive protein levels were lower. These results pointed toward a reduced risk for a gout attack.
Drink a glass of cherry juice in the morning and enjoy a gout-free holiday season. Download a free copy of the tart cherry recipe book, too.
Another benefit to drinking tart cherry juice on a regular basis during the holidays is it helps to keep you hydrated. To make a 100% pure glass of tart cherry juice, you would simply mix 1 ounce (two tablespoons) of Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate with 7 ounces of water to make an 8-ounce glass of 100% pure cherry juice. Drinking two glasses of cherry juice daily helps to keep you hydrated.
Don’t Sprinkle the Salt:
A lot of different foods have sodium already in the food. While salt itself isn’t necessary the issue, but excess salt may lead to dehydration. Dehydration can lead to an increase in your uric acid levels. Check out this brief list of foods that contribute the most sodium to average American diet.
- Bacon
- Deviled eggs
- Prepared, store bought, gravy for the mashed potatoes and turkey
- Salad dressings
- Cheeses, like the kind on the holiday cheese tray
- Cold cuts and cured meats, like the kind on the office holiday tray
- Mashed potatoes
While this doesn’t mean to avoid all of the great tasting food and drink during the holidays, simply be aware of the type of foods, gout friendly foods and limit your consumption of select food and drink.
