Herring Canned & Gout

Avoid
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Herring Canned has a high purine content of 378mg/100g — well above the safe threshold for gout. It's one of the foods to avoid. Cold-water fish like Herring Canned bring an important tradeoff: higher purines, but also omega-3 fatty acids with anti-inflammatory benefits. The Arthritis Foundation notes the heart benefits may outweigh the gout risk in moderation. Freshness matters with seafood — frozen-at-sea fish is often fresher than 'fresh' fish at the counter. Proper storage and quick cooking preserve both flavor and nutritional quality.

Nutritional Data

PURINE
378 mg/100g
USDA 2025
PROTEIN
14g
USDA 2025
FAT
15g
USDA 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Herring Canned a gout trigger food?

Herring Canned is not recommended for gout. It contains 378mg of purine per 100g (high range: 150+mg), significantly raising the risk of uric acid buildup and gout attacks.

Which seafood should gout patients definitely avoid?

Anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, scallops, codfish, trout, and haddock are among the highest-purine seafood. The Arthritis Foundation and Cleveland Clinic both list these as foods to limit or avoid with gout. [Source: Arthritis Foundation / Cleveland Clinic] Shellfish — including shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters, mussels, and scallops — should be eaten only occasionally. While not all shellfish have extremely high purine, their cumulative effect can raise uric acid levels. [Source: Arthritis Foundation]

How should you choose and prepare Herring Canned to minimize gout risk?

Anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, scallops, codfish, trout, and haddock are among the highest-purine seafood. The Arthritis Foundation and Cleveland Clinic both list these as foods to limit or avoid with gout. [Source: Arthritis Foundation / Cleveland Clinic] If you enjoy these fish, limit to very small occasional portions and pair with plenty of vegetables.

Does cooking change the purine content of Herring Canned?

Boiling or stewing meat and discarding the cooking liquid can reduce purine content. Water-soluble purines leach into the water during cooking — do not consume the broth if reducing purine intake. [Source: General nutrition guideline] Grilling and frying add inflammatory compounds from charring and high-heat oils — poaching, steaming, or stewing are better methods.

Which types of seafood are safest for gout?

Anchovies, sardines, herring, mussels, scallops, codfish, trout, and haddock are among the highest-purine seafood. The Arthritis Foundation and Cleveland Clinic both list these as foods to limit or avoid with gout. [Source: Arthritis Foundation / Cleveland Clinic]

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Purine data: USDA 2025 | Nutrition data: USDA 2025

Disclaimer: This website provides dietary information only. It is not medical advice. Consult your doctor for gout-related concerns.
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