Are Pork Chops Bad for Gout? A Guide to Managing Gout Symptoms

Pork chops are a popular and delicious cut of meat But if you have gout, you may be wondering if you need to avoid pork chops due to their purine content. While pork chops do contain some purines, they can be part of a gout-friendly diet when consumed in moderation and prepared properly.

What is Gout?

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of purines

Purine-rich foods include organ meats, seafood, alcohol, and beer. For people susceptible to gout, consuming too many purine-rich foods can trigger painful gout attacks.

Uric acid crystals form inside joints, leading to swelling, redness, and sudden pain. Gout most often affects the big toe joint but can impact other joints like the ankle, knee, wrist, and elbow.

Managing gout involves medications to lower uric acid levels, along with dietary and lifestyle changes. Avoiding foods and drinks high in purines is key to reducing gout flares.

Are Pork Chops High in Purines?

Pork chops come from the loin or shoulder cuts of pork. According to purine databases, a 3 ounce serving of pork chop contains:

• 80-90 mg of purines (loin chop)
• 110-120 mg of purines (shoulder chop)

This puts pork chops in the moderate purine range. Other moderate purine meats include chicken, turkey, and fish like tuna and salmon.

While not as high as organ meats (which contain over 300 mg per serving), pork chops do have more purines than plant-based protein sources like beans or lentils.

People with severe gout are often advised to limit moderate purine meats to 3-4 ounces a few times per week. If your gout is well-managed with medication, you may be able to consume more.

Choosing the Best Cuts for Gout

Center-cut loin chops or pork tenderloin are leaner and lower in purines than other cuts of pork. Fattier cuts like country-style ribs, pork belly, and pork shoulder are higher in purines.

Avoid pig organ meats altogether, like liver, heart, kidneys and tongue, which are very high in purines. Processed pork products like ham, bacon, and sausage also tend to be higher in purines than fresh pork chops.

When choosing pork for gout, leaner cuts are better. Look for “loin” or “tenderloin” in the name and trim any excess fat before cooking.

Preparing Pork Chops for a Gout-Friendly Diet

The way you prepare and cook pork chops also affects their suitability for a gout diet:

• Use dry heat methods – Grilling, broiling, roasting, and baking are best. Avoid frying or braising which can increase purine content.

• Avoid high-fat marinades – Skip buttermilk, egg, and oil-based marinades which are high in purines and fats. Opt for veggie marinades instead.

• Rinse before cooking – Rinsing pork under water for 5 minutes can help wash away some purines.

• Portion control – Stick to 3-4 ounce serving sizes. Spread out pork chop meals with a few days in between.

• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water daily to help flush uric acid from your system.

Following these preparation tips makes pork chops a smarter choice for gout diets compared to other cuts of pork.

Healthier Ways to Eat Pork with Gout

People with gout don’t necessarily have to avoid pork chops and all pork. Here are some healthy ways pork can be incorporated into a gout-friendly diet:

• Choose lean cuts like tenderloin, loin chops, sirloin roast, or center-cut ham.

• Limit portion sizes to 2-4 ounces. Spread out intake over the week.

• Stick to dry heat cooking methods and avoid frying or breading.

• Rinse pork under water before cooking to reduce purines.

• Avoid organ meats and processed pork products.

• Balance with plant foods like fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains.

• Stay hydrated and limit alcohol intake which interferes with uric acid removal.

• Take any prescribed gout medications to lower uric acid levels.

With smart choices and proper preparation methods, pork can still be included in moderation alongside a diet rich in plant foods and healthy fluids.

Other Lower Purine Meat Alternatives

For those that need to closely restrict total dietary purines, here are some lower purine alternatives to pork chops:

• Skinless chicken or turkey breast
• Lean bison or venison
• Salmon, trout, flounder, or sardines
• Eggs or egg whites
• Tofu or tempeh
• Beans, lentils, or peas
• Nuts and seeds like almonds or sunflower seeds

Seafood is still moderately high in purines, so limit fish intake to 6 ounces or less per week if you’re susceptible to gout flares.

The Bottom Line

Moderately consuming lean pork chops as part of a healthy diet is unlikely to cause gout flare-ups on its own. But for those with recurrent gout, it’s important to limit total dietary purine intake from all foods and drinks.

Choose lower purine cuts, make smart preparation choices, control portions, stay hydrated, and take gout medications as directed. With doctor guidance and continued monitoring of any symptoms, pork chops can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall gout management plan.