Foods that trigger cold sores
As with most health complaints, a questionable diet can be an important trigger with cold sore outbreaks. Many sources recommend eating a variety of plants. But sometimes, we find that our diet is heavy in trans fats and laden with sugars and sodium. These can weaken our immune system, leaving us vulnerable to triggers that can cause outbreaks. Let’s examine some foods that trigger cold sores.
Arginine may trigger cold sores
Arginine has been one of the amino acids that is thought to trigger cold sores in many people. Now don’t let this list of foods scare you from ever eating them; each person’s diet and immune system is different. One helpful tip is to keep track of the foods you’ve been eating when getting an outbreak. This will help you narrow down which foods seem to be most consistent when you get an outbreak. Always seek a healthcare professional or certified dietician before making any dramatic changes to your diet.
List of foods that contain a lot of arginine
Arginine is found in a lot of foods and considered to be part of a healthy diet, but as we’ve said there may be a correlation between arginine and cold sores. With your diet diary, see if reducing some of the following foods on a trial basis to see if it helps.
- Nuts, normally a great way to get healthy proteins and fiber, are also a high source of arginine. Peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts are very high in arginine and should try to be avoided. Remember, this includes peanut butter and other nut butters.
- Pumpkin, sesame seeds and soybeans: a great healthy snack for some; perhaps a catalyst for those prone to cold sores. They all contain arginine.
- Chocolate, OMG not chocolate! Well, chocolate is a rich source of arginine and the darker the chocolate more arginine it tends to have.
- Spirulina, the hidden super green powder found in smoothies and nutritional shakes. This blue-green alga adds extra nutrition, but there’s a lot of arginine per gram.
- Squash, our fall and winter weather friend packing most Thanksgiving dinners as a tasty side dish, is a rich source of arginine. Other root vegetables may be a better substitute if you’re looking to trim some of the arginine.
- Oats, one of our favorite breakfast dishes, contains high amounts of arginine. Its filling and yummy, but it can pack a punch if you’re dealing with cold sores.
- Wheat—hard to avoid since it is so many of our favorite foods such as bread, cereal and pasta—is also high in arginine. Trying some gluten-free options of these foods if you find that it’s a cold sore food trigger for you.
- Turkey, chicken, pork, beef: its important to be aware these meats do contain higher levels of arginine than other meats. If you’re not a vegetarian or vegan this may not be a problem, but for the rest of us, being aware is important.
Acidic foods can aggravate cold sores
Lastly, once you’re in a cold sore outbreak, some foods to avoid are heavily acidic foods. They can aggravate the outbreak. And in studies it’s been found that cold sore healing may be delayed from eating them. Try to reduce your consumption of acidic foods and beverages. Pineapple, oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits, tomatoes, fruit juice, wine, and sometimes even soda….they are all acidic. Of course, pickles and vinegar-based salad dressings are also acidic and can aggravate cold sores.
Again, don’t make drastic changes to your diet without the help of healthcare professional or certified dietician, especially when it comes to kids. But when it comes to making a meal or snack, try to diversify your foods so that not every meal is fully loaded with arginine high foods. And keep that food diary, you may find it some simple changes that can make a world of difference when trying to avoid colds sores and fever blisters.
Disclaimer:
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
