Scallops & Gout

Eat in Moderation
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Scallops has a moderate purine content of 76.5mg/100g. It's best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced, gout-conscious diet. Shellfish like Scallops are moderate-to-high in purines. The Arthritis Foundation recommends eating shellfish only occasionally — the cumulative effect across a meal can add up.

Nutritional Data

PURINE
76.5 mg/100g
Japan Gout Society
PROTEIN
17g
Japan 2025
FAT
1g
Japan 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scallops safe in small amounts for gout?

Scallops should be eaten in moderation with gout. It contains 76.5mg of purine per 100g (moderate range: 50–150mg). It can be part of a gout-friendly diet, but keep portions reasonable and not daily.

Does cooking change the purine content of Scallops?

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.

How should you choose and prepare Scallops to minimize gout risk?

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] Seafood is the primary dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory benefits. Since a low-purine diet limits certain seafood, consider plant-based omega-3 sources like walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. [Source: Cleveland Clinic]

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]

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]

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Purine data: Japan Gout Society | Nutrition data: Japan 2025

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