Dairy Foods: Lysine & Arginine Content

Browse 54 foods in this category, sorted by lysine-to-arginine ratio.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) requires arginine — an amino acid found in many common foods — to replicate. Maintaining a diet where lysine consistently outweighs arginine is one of the most evidence-backed nutritional strategies for reducing the frequency of herpes outbreaks. This database lets you check the exact lysine-to-arginine ratio for hundreds of common foods, so you can make smarter choices at every meal.

A ratio above 1.0 (more lysine than arginine) is generally considered favourable for people managing herpes. Foods with ratios below 0.5 — particularly nuts, seeds, and chocolate — are the most likely to tip the balance in the virus's favour. Use the search and category filters below to find the foods you eat most often, then check out our guide on how to build a herpes-friendly diet for practical meal planning advice.

Showing all 54 foods
Lysine and arginine content per 100g. Select a column header to sort.
Name Lysine (mg) Arginine (mg) Ratio
Greek Yogurt 471 158 2.98
Plain Yogurt 311.02 104.41 2.98
Fruit Yogurt, Lowfat 356.83 119.82 2.98
Plain Yogurt, Skim 510.57 172.25 2.97
Plain Yogurt, Lowfat 466.52 157.93 2.95
Swiss Cheese 2614.29 939.29 2.79
Gruyere Cheese 2742.86 985.71 2.78
Edam Cheese 2692.86 975 2.76
Gouda Cheese 2685.71 973.21 2.76
Whey, Dry, Sweet 1026.67 373.33 2.75
Blue Cheese 1875 721.43 2.6
Feta Cheese 1219 470 2.59
Provolone Cheese 2678.57 1035.71 2.59
Brie Cheese 1875 742.86 2.52
Camembert Cheese 1785.71 709.29 2.52
Parmesan Cheese 3346.43 1332.14 2.51
Parmesan Cheese, Grated 3840 1540 2.49
Goat Milk 289.75 119.26 2.43
Muenster Cheese 2585.71 1064.29 2.42
Goat Cheese 1540 639 2.41
Limburger Cheese 1696.43 707.14 2.4
Tilsit Cheese 2064.29 860.71 2.4
Port Du Salut Cheese 2010.71 837.5 2.4
Processed Swiss Cheese 2485.71 1046.43 2.38
Cream Cheese 686 289 2.37
Mozzarella Cheese, Pt Skim 2496 1054 2.37
Processed American Cheese 2225 939 2.37
Mozzarella Cheese 1996 843 2.37
Neufchatel Cheese 904 382 2.36
Sour Cream 275 117 2.35
Monterey Jack Cheese 2066 937 2.21
Cheshire Cheese 1969 894 2.2
Cheddar Cheese 2104 954 2.2
Buttermilk 243 111 2.2
Skim Milk 237 108 2.19
Condensed Milk, Sweetened 688 314 2.19
Chocolate Milk 225 103 2.19
Nonfat Milk, Dry 1232 563 2.19
Lowfat Milk 231 105 2.19
Evaporated Milk 244 111 2.19
Ice Cream, Rich 221.62 101.35 2.19
Whole Milk 228 104 2.19
Whole Milk, Dry 1140 519 2.19
Nonfat Milk, Dry, Instant 676 309 2.19
Whipping Cream, Heavy 138 63 2.19
Whipped Cream, Pressurized 253.33 116.67 2.17
Coffee Cream 213.33 100 2.13
Ricotta Cheese 1336.59 629.27 2.12
Ricotta Cheese, Part Skim 1349.59 637.8 2.12
Eggnog 298.43 148.82 2.01
Cottage Cheese, Creamed 1009.52 566.67 1.78
Cottage Cheese, Lowfat 2% 1111.5 624.12 1.78
Cottage Cheese, Dry 1393.1 786.21 1.77
Kefir 929 700 1.33

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How to Use the Lysine-Arginine Ratio

The ratio shown in the database is calculated as lysine ÷ arginine per 100g of food. Higher is better for people with herpes. Here is a quick guide to interpreting the numbers:

  • Ratio > 2.0: Excellent — strongly favours lysine. Examples: most fish, poultry, and dairy.
  • Ratio 1.0–2.0: Good — more lysine than arginine. Safe to eat freely.
  • Ratio 0.5–1.0: Moderate — roughly balanced. Eat in moderation alongside high-lysine foods.
  • Ratio < 0.5: Unfavourable — significantly more arginine than lysine. Limit these foods, especially during or before an outbreak.

All values in the database are per 100g of food unless stated otherwise. Portion size matters: a small amount of a high-arginine food may still be fine in the context of an otherwise lysine-rich meal. Focus on your overall daily ratio rather than avoiding individual foods entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which foods have the highest lysine-to-arginine ratio?

Fish consistently top the database — particularly flounder, cod, halibut, and sole — with ratios of 3.0 or higher. Poultry (chicken and turkey breast) and most dairy products (cottage cheese, ricotta, Greek yogurt) also score very favourably. Among plant foods, mangoes and papayas have unusually high lysine-to-arginine ratios compared to most fruits.

Which common foods are highest in arginine and worst for herpes?

Nuts are the biggest concern — particularly peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts, which have arginine-to-lysine ratios of 3:1 or higher. Seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin) are similarly high in arginine. Chocolate and cocoa are notorious for their high arginine content. Among grains, oats and wheat germ have higher arginine relative to refined grains. These foods are not forbidden, but they are best eaten alongside high-lysine proteins to offset the arginine load.

How much lysine per day is recommended for herpes management?

Clinical studies on lysine for herpes have used doses ranging from 1,000mg to 3,000mg daily. For maintenance (outbreak prevention), 1,000–1,500mg per day is the most commonly studied dose. For acute outbreak treatment, 3,000mg per day for 5–7 days is sometimes used. These amounts are achievable through diet alone only if you are eating substantial portions of lysine-rich proteins at multiple meals — supplementation fills the gap for most people. Always discuss supplementation doses with your healthcare provider, as high-dose lysine can cause gastrointestinal side effects.

Can I use this database to plan a herpes-friendly meal plan?

Yes. Search for the protein sources you eat most regularly and confirm they have ratios above 1.0. Then check snack foods, nuts, and any protein supplements you use — these are the most likely sources of hidden arginine in a typical diet. Building meals around fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy as your primary proteins, with vegetables and fruits as sides, will naturally produce a lysine-favourable diet for most people. Our guide to the best foods for cold sores provides a practical meal planning framework using this data.