Whole Grains & Low-Fat Dairy
Whole Grains
Getting plenty of whole grains is also extremely important in controlling your gout. While you want to avoid simple sugars, like those found in cheap white bread and most baked goods made with white flour, complex carbohydrates help control your weight and any insulin issues you might be having. Since whole grains don't digest quickly, this means you feel fuller for a longer period of time, which helps you eat less overall. Plus, they can help stabilize your blood sugar, which may keep gout attacks at bay for longer.
Low-Fat Dairy
If you’re already having trouble with joint pain and arthritis, skimping on the calcium isn’t doing yourself any favors. This is a tricky balancing act, though, because the high fat content that tends to be in dairy products is bad for gout. Instead of missing out on your calcium or trying to get it all through alternative sources, choose low-fat dairy options instead.
Since you’re missing out on a lot of the protein derived from meat, skim milk and low-fat Greek yogurt can be great protein sources. Additionally, low-fat dairy may actually provide some protection from gout. At least one serving of dairy a day showed lower uric acid blood levels in the patients of some studies—and other studies suggest that dairy may actually help move uric acid out of the body more effectively.
Did you know...
- Just saying the words "thank you" can measurably improve your mood. Researchers can actually measure happiness and changes in brain structure when people practiced regular "grateful thinking." This included things like writing thank you notes, writing gratitude journal entries, mindfully counting their blessings, and thanking friends. It may be helpful in overcoming depression!
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Do you know what the strongest muscle in your body is? No, it’s not your biceps or your thighs. It’s actually in your head. The masseter is a muscle in the jaw that is used when chewing. When all of the muscles of the jaw work together, they can exert a force as strong as 200 pounds on the molars. That’s some serious pressure.