Best Foods for HSV Management

• Focus on high-lysine, low-arginine foods (refer to the lysine-rich food list).
• Drink plenty of water to flush toxins and support the immune system.
• Manage stress, as it is a major HSV trigger (meditation, exercise, deep breathing).
• Prioritize sleep to allow the body to heal and fight viral activity.

 Meat & Poultry (Highest in lysine)

• Chicken (breast, thighs, drumsticks)
• Turkey (ground, breast, thighs)
• Beef (lean cuts, steak, ground beef)
• Lamb (chops, ground lamb)
• Pork (loin, chops, ground pork)
• Veal

Fish & Seafood (Lysine-rich & packed with omega-3s)

• Salmon (wild-caught preferred)
• Tuna (fresh or canned)
• Cod
• Halibut
• Sardines
• Shrimp
• Lobster
• Crab
• Mackerel
• Trout
• Haddock

Dairy Products (Good vegetarian lysine sources)

• Greek yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Feta cheese
• Ricotta cheese
• Kefir
• Butter
• Milk (whole, low-fat, skim)

Eggs (High in lysine & easy to prepare)

• Whole eggs (scrambled, boiled, poached, etc.)
• Egg whites
• Egg yolks

Legumes & Beans (Best plant-based lysine sources)

• Lentils (green, brown, red)
• Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• Black beans
• Kidney beans
• Pinto beans
• Navy beans
• White beans
• Lima beans
• Mung beans
• Adzuki beans

Certain Fruits (Lysine-rich & immune-boosting)

• Apples
• Pears
• Mangoes
• Apricots
• Papaya
• Figs
• Avocado
• Cranberries
• Blueberries
• Cherries

Certain Vegetables (Nutrient-dense with a good lysine ratio)

• Cauliflower
• Beets
• Zucchini
• Spinach
• Kale
• Bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
• Asparagus
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Eggplant
• Green beans
• Garlic
• Onions

Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes (Lysine-rich starches)

• White potatoes (baked, mashed, roasted)
• Sweet potatoes (roasted, mashed, fries)
• Yams

Grains & Seeds (Better lysine-to-arginine ratio than wheat)

• Quinoa
• Amaranth
• Buckwheat
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds

Nuts & Seeds (Moderation Recommended)

(Some nuts and seeds have a better lysine-to-arginine ratio than others.)

• Macadamia nuts
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds
• Pistachios

Healthy Fats & Oils (Supports skin health & immunity)

• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
• Coconut oil
• Ghee (clarified butter)

 Nuts & Seeds (High in arginine, can trigger outbreaks)

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Peanuts
• Cashews
• Hazelnuts
• Brazil nuts
• Pecans
• Pistachios
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Chia seeds (moderation recommended)
• Flaxseeds (moderation recommended)

Chocolate & Cocoa Products (High in arginine, common trigger)

• Dark chocolate
• Milk chocolate
• Cocoa powder
• Chocolate milk
• Hot cocoa
• Chocolate protein bars or shakes

Soy-Based Foods (Can be high in arginine, avoid for HSV management)

• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Edamame
• Soy milk
• Soy protein powder
• Miso
• Soy sauce
• Processed vegan meat substitutes (often soy-based)

Grains & Processed Carbs (Can be high in arginine and inflammatory)

• Oats
• Whole wheat
• Brown rice
• White rice (moderation)
• Barley
• Rye
• Cornmeal

Sugary & Processed Foods (Weakens immune system, increases inflammation)

• Refined white sugar
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Candy
• Soda
• Artificial sweeteners
• Store-bought baked goods (cookies, cakes, pastries)
• Sugary cereals
• Processed snack foods (chips, pretzels, flavored crackers)

Caffeinated & Stimulant Beverages (Can stress the body and trigger outbreaks)

• Coffee (moderation recommended)
• Energy drinks
• Green and black tea (moderation recommended)
• Soft drinks with caffeine
• Excess alcohol
• Excessive spicy foods (can irritate the nervous system)

Processed Meats & High-Sodium Foods (Inflammatory, can stress the body)

• Deli meats (ham, salami, bologna, processed turkey, etc.)
• Bacon
• Sausages
• Hot dogs
• Packaged frozen meals with high sodium
• Canned soups with high sodium

Fried & Fast Foods (Inflammatory, weakens immunity)

• French fries
• Fried chicken
• Onion rings
• Deep-fried snacks
• Processed fast food burgers

Certain Acidic & Citrus Fruits (Can irritate outbreaks for some people)

• Oranges
• Lemons
• Limes
• Grapefruits
• Pineapple
• Tomatoes (can be acidic)

Dairy (For Those Who Are Sensitive) (May cause mucus buildup or mild inflammation)

• Milk (for some people)
• Processed cheese (like American cheese)
• Ice cream (contains sugar + dairy)
• Flavored yogurt with added sugar

Alcohol (In Excess) (Can weaken immune function)

• Beer
• Wine
• Hard liquor
• Sugary cocktails

Artificial Preservatives & Additives (Can trigger inflammation)

• MSG (monosodium glutamate)
• Artificial flavorings
• Artificial colorings
• Processed condiments (ketchup, BBQ sauce, store-bought dressings with additives)