Mackerel
Seafood — purine content 205mg per 100g
High Purine
205
mg/100g
Avoid — high purine content.
Diet Advice
Mackerel is high in purines, and many people leave it out, especially during a flare.
Recommended Preparation
Best avoided. If consumed, limit to very small portions.
Low Purine Alternatives
- Salmon (170mg)
- Catfish (63mg)
Data source: USDA FoodData Central; Mayo Clinic. Purine value: 205mg per 100g of Mackerel (High purine, red zone).
See the full purine food classification table for all 142 foods, or read the low purine diet guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mackerel: is it high in purines?
Mackerel: 205mg of purines per 100g, above the 150mg/100g cut-off used on this site. High-purine foods are the ones most consistently linked to higher uric acid, so this is usually a small, occasional serving, and left out during a flare.
Can I eat Mackerel during a gout flare?
During a flare most guidance is to leave Mackerel out. At 205mg per 100g it sits well above the low-purine cut-off, and flares are when purine intake is kept lowest. Small amounts can return once symptoms settle.
What are the best low-purine alternatives to Mackerel?
Lower-purine options to use in place of Mackerel include: Salmon, Catfish. They offer comparable nutrition at a much lower purine content, which makes a balanced diet easier to hold together.