What are some foods that can trigger herpes?

Foods that may trigger a herpes outbreak include chocolate, peanuts, raisins and wheat, reports Herpes.org. These foods are high in arginine, which is an amino acid that herpes needs to multiply. Other foods that are rich in arginine include bananas, corn and seeds, states Progressive Health.

A diet rich in healthy fats, lysine, vitamin C and vitamin E helps reduce the number of herpes outbreaks each year, says Progressive Health. The amino acid lysine may help repress the growth of the herpes virus when taken at doses of 1000 milligrams a day. Foods rich in lysine include avocados, eggs and cold water fish.