Are Pork Chops Bad for Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the body. This uric acid can form painful crystals in the joints, leading to gout attacks. Diet plays a major role in gout, and certain foods like red meat are known to trigger gout flares. But what about pork chops specifically? Are pork chops bad for gout?

The answer is not so straightforward. While pork is considered a red meat, some cuts and preparations may be better tolerated than others by those with gout. This article provides a detailed look at pork chops and gout, including the nutritional value of pork chops, their purine levels, and whether they should be avoided or limited in a gout diet.

What is Gout?

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden and severe attacks of pain, swelling, and tenderness in the joints. It is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid levels get too high, needle-like crystals can form in the joints, leading to inflammation and intense pain.

Gout often affects the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can occur in the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows as well. Men are more likely to develop gout than women, and risk increases with age.

Diet is one of the main controllable risk factors for gout. Foods high in purines, a substance that breaks down into uric acid, can trigger gout attacks in susceptible individuals. Red meat is high in purines, which is why gout patients are often advised to limit consumption.

Nutrition Profile of Pork Chops

Pork chops come from the loin section of the pig. There are different cuts of pork chops, including

• Center cut chops: Have a small amount of fat; consider the “healthiest” chop
• Rib chops: Have more fat compared to other chops
• Sirloin chops: Lean, with a fat cap on one side

A 3-ounce portion of pork chop contains

• Calories: 139
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated fat: 1.4g
• Protein: 21g
• Purines: Moderate level (70-120mg per 100g)

So while pork chops are leaner than some other red meat cuts, they do contain a moderate amount of purines.

Are Pork Chops High in Purines?

Studies have found the total purine content per 100g of these pork items to be:

• Pork kidney: 195mg
• Pork liver: 285mg
• Pork chops: 70-120mg
• Pork tenderloin: 120mg

So although not as high as organ meats like kidney and liver, pork chops contain a moderate amount of purines. However, the specific cut of pork plays a role as well.

For example, pork tenderloin though from a different part of the pig contains a similar amount of purines as pork chops. Yet tenderloin is widely recommended as a gout-friendly red meat option because of its leanness.

This demonstrates why making blanket recommendations about “red meat and gout” can be overly simplistic. The specific cut, preparation method, and portion size also matter.

Are Pork Chops Bad for Gout Sufferers?

While pork chops contain a moderate amount of purines, having gout does not necessarily mean you need to avoid them completely. Here are some tips if you have gout but want to keep pork chops in your diet:

• Choose leaner cuts like center cut or sirloin chops
• Watch portion sizes and limit to 3-4 ounces per serving
• Avoid thick breading or gravies which add calories and purines
• Grill, bake, or roast pork chops instead of frying in oil
• Balance intake by choosing lower purine foods for the rest of your meals
• Stay hydrated and limit other high purine foods and alcohol

The key is moderation. While it may be best to avoid overindulging in pork chops, having them occasionally as part of an overall healthy gout diet is unlikely to pose problems for most people. Discuss intake with your doctor.

Better Red Meat Choices for Gout

While pork chops in moderation may be tolerable for some with gout, there are better red meat options to incorporate as part of a gout-friendly diet. These include:

Bison and Other Game Meats

Bison, elk, and venison tend to be lower in fat and purines than beef, pork, and lamb. Game meats make a great rotational protein for those with gout. Choose lean cuts and grass-fed varieties when possible.

Beef Round Cuts

Cuts like eye of round, top round, and bottom round are some of the leanest cuts of beef. While still moderately high in purines, portion control and balance with lower purine foods may allow these cuts to be consumed in moderation.

Extra Lean Ground Beef (95% lean)

While still considered red meat, extra lean ground beef is significantly lower in fat and calories than regular ground beef. This makes it a better choice for those with gout trying to manage their weight and intake of saturated fat.

Pork Tenderloin

As mentioned earlier, pork tenderloin is extra lean and contains about the same amount of purines as pork chops. It can be a great alternative for those who still want to eat pork.

The Takeaway

Moderately high in purines, pork chops may be able to be incorporated carefully into a gout diet, though they should not be over-consumed. Those with severe gout may wish to avoid them more strictly due to their purine content. Overall, pork chops in small servings a few times a month is unlikely to cause problems for most with gout. Those with gout who want to eat red meat would do better to emphasize bison, extra lean beef, and pork tenderloin over pork chops more frequently.