Uric acid buildup in the joints of the body leads to gout, a type of arthritis. Your body produces uric acid from purines that are found in certain foods, such as meat. If you or anyone in your family is at risk of gout or suffers from this condition, you can avoid certain foods and eat others to help control or stave off a gout attack.

Low-fat dairy snacks, such as yogurt, may help reduce the risk of gout, according to the Mayo Clinic. Try eating one or two 8-ounce containers of yogurt each day to lower the incidence of gout. Choose plain yogurt as flavored yogurts tend to have a lot of extra sugar. Although the extra sugar may not make your gout worse, it does add extra calories. Foods high in fat do make gout worse so be sure to pick yogurt and other dairy products that are low in fat or contain no fat.

Have a handful of your favorite nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, as a snack if you have gout. Nuts provide a good amount of protein, without the high purine levels that meats have. Unlike meats, nuts also contain healthy fats, such as mono- and poly-unsaturated types. Spread a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter or another nut butter onto whole-wheat crackers or a piece of toast for a simple, healthy snack.

Eating carbohydrates can help your body flush out extra uric acid, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, or UPMC. Have a few crackers made from whole grain as a snack or a slice of whole-grain toast. Try having a bowl of non-sugary cereal as a snack too. You should aim for at least six servings of complex carbohydrates daily, according to UPMC. While you can have a slice of white bread or refined grains, try to make most of your grain-based carbohydrates from whole grains.

Add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your diet. Enjoy a whole apple as a snack between meals or try eating a cup of raw, sliced vegetables, such as carrots and celery, to stave off afternoon hunger pangs. You may want to add dip or dressing to improve the flavor but do so in moderation. Dressings are high in fat and not recommended for a diet for gout. Aim to eat at least two portions of fruit and three servings of vegetables each day. A medium-sized banana, orange or apple counts as a serving of fruit while a cup of raw vegetables equals one serving.