Worst Foods to Eat if You Have Herpes

The herpes simplex virus is incurable -- once you’re infected, it stays with you for life. That may be a downer, but many people turn to lifestyle changes to help manage the condition and prevent outbreaks of the two types of herpes -- one that brings on cold sores and one that results in genital blisters. Staying away from certain foods or limiting your intake of them is a good cautionary step, but talk to your doctor about preventing herpes and managing outbreaks. She may suggest medications and supplements to deal with the condition.

Make the Arginine Connection

Foods high in arginine and low in lysine, two of the eight naturally occurring amino acids, may be your worst enemies if you have herpes. The virus needs arginine to grow, reports Michele Picozzi, author of “Controlling Herpes Naturally,” on the Herpes.org website. The worst arginine-rich foods if you have herpes include peanuts, chocolate and carob, wheat and wheat germ, oats, soy foods, some types of nuts, peanuts, and sesame seeds, according to Dr. Deborah Gordon, an integrative medicine practitioner.

Avoid Refined Carbs

Herpes & Arginine

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Gordon says heavily refined carbohydrates suppress immunity and can lead to herpes outbreaks when consumed in excess – as they often are in the American diet. Sugar competes with vitamin C to enter the body’s cells, resulting in a reduced ability to resist infection, says Marcel J. Hernandez, a naturopathic doctor. The worst foods in this category include processed baked goods, white pasta and bread, and sodas. Picozzi singles out foods and drinks containing high-fructose corn syrup as especially problematic.

Other Foods and Beverages to Eliminate

Caffeine and alcohol can also impair immunity and spark herpes outbreaks, says Gordon. Food cravings may indicate possible allergens, which may also cause flare-ups, she notes. Gordon suggests an elimination diet in which you avoid the worst foods for two months. When you no longer have herpes symptoms, you can reintroduce them one by one into your diet to see which might affect your herpes outbreaks.

What You Can Eat

Lysine Herpes Diet

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If you're avoiding foods that may cause herpes outbreaks, that doesn’t mean a boring diet. Many nutritious and delicious whole foods, such as grass-fed beef, fish, poultry, dairy products, beans, eggs and most brightly colored fruits and vegetables, have a high ratio of lysine to arginine and should make up the bulk of your meals. Picozzi also cites the benefits of foods like mushrooms, sea vegetables and garlic for managing herpes outbreaks naturally.