Gout is a painful form of arthritis that can lead to flare ups in the joints and feet and especially the big toe.

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that can lead to flare-ups in the joints and feet and especially the big toe. Men and obese people are especially prone to this illness that's caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream.

The ailment used to be known as the "disease of kings" because monarchs indulging in alcohol and rich foods were often the ones living with gout. While doctors now know what causes the illness, poor diet can have a great effect on developing gout or causing its flare-ups. Staying away from food and drinks that are high in purines may help keep the illness under control.

Here is a list of foods to cut back on or avoid if you have gout:

Seafood

Some fish and shellfish are high in purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid. If the body cannot rid itself of high levels of uric acid, then gout can develop. Scallops and salmon in large amounts should be avoided, but eating them occasionally is probably safe. Seafood consumption should be kept to 6 ounces a day. Any more than 6 ounces could lead to flare-ups in the joints.

High-purine fish like herring, tuna, cod, trout, anchovies and haddock should be avoided. However, there are some types of shellfish that are safe to eat, like crab, lobster, oysters, and shrimp because they only have moderate levels of purine.

Alcohol

Many doctors will tell patients with gout to avoid all types of alcohol—whether beer, wine or hard liquor—due to their high purine content. Beer may be the worst for gout sufferers, not only because of its high purine levels, but also because brewer's yeast in beer can contribute to gout pain. A 2014 study from the Boston University School of Medicine estimated that those subjects who drank a 12-ounce beer every day were nearly twice as likely to experience gout flare-ups as those who didn't consume alcohol.

All types of alcohol may be poor choices for those coping with gout because the kidneys are spending more time and energy flushing alcohol out of the body and less time ridding it of uric acid.

Meat

Some meats have moderate amounts of purines, so they may be eaten in very limited amounts. Among them: beef, chicken, pork, ham and duck. White meat, like chicken breast, is often a safer option than red meats, but turkey should be avoided.

Other types of meat to be wary of are liver and other organ meats, bacon, veal, lamb, and venison.

Other drinks

Besides alcoholic beverages, soft drinks that use high-fructose corn syrup or sugar as a sweetener may increase gout flare-ups. Also, some studies suggest that orange juice and other fruit juices that naturally contain high amounts of fructose may be just as bad for gout as a soda.

Those with gout should also make sure not to binge on coffee or energy drinks. While both are probably fine in moderation, drinking a large amount of either could bring about flare-ups.

For more on gout:

Know Your Gout Risk Factors
Get to Know Your Arthritis Pain
Diet Changes to Improve Arthritis