Can You Eat Turkey Sausage If You Have Gout?

Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis caused by excess uric acid buildup in the joints. Certain foods like meat, seafood and alcohol can raise uric acid and trigger gout flares. So where does turkey sausage fall when it comes to gout diet? Keep reading to learn if you can enjoy this convenient protein source with gout.

What is Gout?

Let’s first cover the basics on this common form of arthritis:

• Caused by hyperuricemia – high levels of uric acid in the blood

• Uric acid crystallizes and deposits in joints, tendons and surrounding tissue

• Leads to sudden. severe joint pain swelling. redness and tenderness

• Most often affects the big toe, but can impact other joints too

• Main risk factors are obesity, high purine foods, alcohol and genetics

Diet plays a major role in both treating and preventing gout attacks. People with gout should limit foods high in purines to help reduce uric acid production.

What are Purines?

Purines are natural compounds found in some foods that break down into uric acid within the body. Foods especially high in purines include:

• Organ meats like liver, kidneys and sweetbreads

• Red meats like beef, lamb and pork

• Oily fish such as sardines, anchovies, trout and tuna

• Shellfish including shrimp, scallops, lobster and mussels

• Game meats like venison, boar and duck

• Yeasts, green peas, asparagus, dried beans, mushrooms and cauliflower

• Alcohol, especially beer and hard liquor

For people prone to gout, limiting dietary purines can help reduce uric acid levels and frequency of painful flares. But not all purine-containing foods affect gout the same.

Gout Friendly vs. Gout Causing Foods

While all purine-rich foods can theoretically trigger gout, some are more likely culprits than others. Here is how they compare:

Foods Most Likely to Cause Gout Attacks:

• Organ meats like liver and kidneys
• Red meat like beef, lamb and pork
• Seafood high in purines like sardines and scallops
• Alcohol, especially beer and distilled spirits

Foods Less Likely to Cause Gout Problems:

• Plant-based foods with purines like peas, beans, lentils and spinach
• Turkey, chicken, eggs
• Low-fat dairy products
• Non-purine meats like rabbit and venison
• Certain fish like salmon and cod
• Whole grains and most vegetables

So while all purine-containing foods can raise uric acid, those highest in purines and most commonly linked to gout should be limited the most.

Can You Eat Turkey Sausage with Gout?

Many prefer turkey sausage as a convenient breakfast meat with less fat than pork sausage. But is it a good choice with gout? Let’s analyze the pros and cons.

Potential Benefits of Turkey Sausage

• Lower in purines than red meat and seafood
• Provides lean protein while limiting saturated fat
• Variety of flavors like maple, basil, spinach, etc.
• Easy to cook patties, links or crumbles
• Sold plain or pre-seasoned

Possible Drawbacks of Turkey Sausage

• Moderate purine content may still trigger attacks
• Salt and other seasoning may be high in some brands
• High fat and nitrite content in some varieties
• Processed meats may pose other health risks

Overall, turkey sausage is likely safer for gout patients than bacon, deli meats, hot dogs and red meat-based sausages. Those with well-controlled gout may be able to include it in moderation as part of a healthy diet. But those with frequent flares may need to minimize or avoid it.

Tips for Choosing Gout-Friendly Turkey Sausage

Follow these tips for selecting the most gout-friendly turkey sausage options:

• Choose plain, unseasoned turkey sausage
• Look for low sodium varieties (<500mg per serving)
• Check labels and avoid those with nitrates/nitrites
• Select ground turkey sausage over processed links
• Favor brands without excess fillers and preservatives
• Balance intake with lower purine foods and lots of fruits/veggies

Preparing turkey sausage properly also matters. Opt for lower fat cooking methods like grilling, baking or sautéing in broth rather than frying in oil. And be mindful of high sodium condiments and seasonings.

Sample Menu Ideas with Turkey Sausage

Here are some gout-conscious ways to enjoy turkey sausage:

Breakfast

• Scrambled eggs with turkey sausage, peppers, onions
• Turkey sausage patties with avocado toast
• Turkey sausage crumbles mixed into oatmeal

Lunch

• Turkey sausage sautéed with cabbage and brown rice
• Soup with turkey sausage, tomatoes and spinach
• Turkey sausage baked potato with broccoli

Dinner

• Whole wheat pasta with turkey sausage, mushrooms and peppers
• Turkey sausage stuffed mushrooms or zucchini boats
• Pizza with turkey sausage, veggies and part-skim mozzarella

Snacks

• Slice of turkey sausage with raw veggies and hummus
• Turkey sausage pinwheels wrapped in lettuce

Other Gout-Friendly Meat Alternatives

For those looking to further limit purines, other animal protein and plant-based options include:

Animal Proteins:

• Skinless chicken and turkey
• Shellfish like shrimp and crab
• Eggs or egg whites
• Low or non-fat dairy like yogurt
• Wild game like bison and elk

Plant-Based Proteins:

• Tofu, tempeh, seitan
• Beans, lentils, peas
• Soy meat substitutes
• Nuts and nut butters
• Whole grains like quinoa, buckwheat and oats

Should You Avoid Turkey Sausage with Gout?

In moderation, plain, low sodium turkey sausage can be reasonably safe for some gout sufferers. But those with recurrent gout may need to leave it off the menu entirely. Work with your doctor or dietitian to determine if turkey sausage can have an occasional place in your gout-friendly diet or if it’s better to steer clear.