The 30 Best High Lysine Low Arginine Vegan Foods

There’s a lot of research showing that a high lysine and low arginine diet is effective at preventing herpes symptoms like cold sores from appearing.

Dairy is great for getting a lot of lysine without arginine, but is not an option on a vegan diet.

I’ll walk you through the best plant foods that maximize lysine intake while minimizing arginine.

Lysine and Arginine: Amount Needed

Overall, Two things matter.

• First, the amount of lysine. You want to aim for at least 1.5-3 grams of lysine per day.
• Secondly, you want to minimize the amount of arginine (obviously you need some to be healthy).

In other words, you want foods that not only have a lot of lysine, but also a high ratio of lysine to arginine, which is what we’ll look at here.

Vegan Foods With the Highest Ratio of Lysine to Arginine

I collected detailed nutritional data for an extensive list of vegan foods using the USDA’s food database.

Then I found the foods highest in lysine, and calculated a ratio of lysine to arginine (higher is better). Most of these foods come from my list of the best vegan sources of lysine.

Here’s a table of the best high lysine low arginine vegan foods per 100 gram serving:

Food	Lysine (g)	Arginine (g)	L:A ratio
Cauliflower	0.22	0.09	2.52
Apricot	0.10	0.04	2.16
Mango	0.07	0.03	2.13
Avocado	0.13	0.09	1.48
Bamboo shoot	0.08	0.06	1.39
Zucchini	0.07	0.05	1.31
Squash	0.07	0.05	1.30
Navy beans	0.52	0.41	1.25
Green bean	0.09	0.07	1.20
Sweet potato	0.07	0.06	1.19
Adzuki beans	0.57	0.49	1.17
Rapini	0.20	0.17	1.15
Asparagus	0.11	0.10	1.15
Guava	0.07	0.07	1.11
Kidney beans	0.59	0.54	1.11
Black beans	0.61	0.55	1.11
Carrot	0.10	0.09	1.11
Spinach	0.17	0.16	1.07
Kale	0.17	0.16	1.07
Lotus root	0.09	0.09	1.07
White potato	0.09	0.08	1.06
Bok choy	0.09	0.08	1.05
Corn	0.14	0.13	1.05
Turnip greens	0.10	0.09	1.04
Leek	0.08	0.08	1.00
Mung bean	0.49	0.49	1.00
Lima beans	0.45	0.46	0.99
Okra	0.08	0.08	0.96
Cowpeas	0.21	0.22	0.94
Watercress	0.14	0.15	0.92
Lentils	0.63	0.70	0.90
Swiss chard	0.10	0.12	0.85
Chestnut	0.19	0.23	0.83
Brussels sprouts	0.12	0.15	0.76
Barley	0.08	0.11	0.75
Soybeans	0.74	0.99	0.74
Peas	0.32	0.43	0.74
Water spinach	0.11	0.15	0.73
Seaweed (dried)	3.03	4.14	0.73
Chickpeas	0.59	0.83	0.71
Broccoli	0.14	0.19	0.71
Quinoa	0.24	0.34	0.70

Quite a few foods have a decent ratio between the two amino acids.

Which Types of Plant Foods Have the Best Lysine to Arginine Ratio?

In general, you want to focus on:

• Fruits – Even though they don’t have much protein, they have a relatively high amount of lysine. Apricots, mangos, apples, plums, peaches, etc. are all good. They’re also one of the main sources of vegan vitamin C.
• Vegetables – Cauliflower, avocado, and bell peppers are all near the top of the list.
• Legumes – Multiple types of beans and lentils all have a ratio of 0.9 or better, which is decent. More importantly, they have a high raw amount of lysine, which will help you reach your daily targets.

The 7 Best High Lysine Low Arginine Vegan Foods

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a standard healthy vegetable. It has a decent amount of vitamins and minerals, plus a bit of protein.

Most importantly, it has the best ratio of lysine to arginine of any plant that I could find.

Since it has such a plain flavor, it adapts well into many recipes. It’s a great ingredient in gluten-free and low-calorie crusts.

Apricot and Mangoes

I grouped these together because they are fairly similar fruits that you can buy in a dried form if you’d like.

Obviously you won’t get a ton of protein from them, but they still have a decent amount of lysine. Having some apricots or mangoes (dried or otherwise) around for snacks is a nice way to boost your lysing intake.

Avocado

I really hope you like avocados, because they are a great food to include on this list.

Since nuts and seeds have poor ratios of lysine to arginine, that cuts out a lot of healthy vegan fat sources. Avocados are a great replacement for healthy fats, and also have a decent ratio of the key amino acids we’re concerned with here.

Zucchini and Squash

I included both squash (as a general food) and zucchini on the list (even though zucchini is a squash), so let’s group them together here.

Pretty much any type of squash has a decent ratio of lysine to arginine.

A recipe like a spaghetti squash burrito bowl is absolutely packed with lysine due to containing squash and beans. You could even add spinach to it for even more.

Beans

With nuts and seeds mostly out of the picture, beans will need to be your main source of plant protein on a vegan diet that’s high in lysine.

Every type of bean ranks well on this list, whether you look at the absolute quantity of lysine, or the ratio to arginine.

• Navy
• Adzuki
• Kidney
• Black
• Etc.

Rapini

Rapini is a vegetable that’s related to broccoli, but quite a bit different. While broccoli has a relatively low amount of lysine, rapini has a decent amount and a great ratio to arginine.

Depending on where you live, it may be hard to find unfortunately.

It’s mainly associated with Mediterranean cuisine, but pairs nicely with beans. For example, here’s a great vegan recipe for spicy Italian rapini and cannellini beans.

Spinach

Spinach is one of the healthiest foods you can eat for a number of reasons.

Not only does it have a decent amount of protein and good lysine to arginine ratio, it’s also high in:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Most B-Vitamins
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Fiber

Basically, spinach is a food that just about any vegan should try to eat as much as possible of. I try to eat at least a few bunches per week.

How to Get Even More Lysine

It’s a pain to have to plan every single meal to maximize lysine content – I get that.

One alternative that can be better if you don’t feel that you’re able to do that, is to get a vegan lysine supplement. (Most vegan protein powders are also high in lysine).

Note that not all lysine supplements are vegan-friendly, so you need to look for an indication that one is, or ask the manufacturer.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, NOW Sports has a great vegan lysine supplement that’s cheap as well.

Taking 1-2 of their 1,000 mg capsules will be enough for most people to not have to worry about their lysine intake from other foods.

The Vegan Foods With the WORST Ratio of Lysine to Arginine

I think it could also be useful to know which foods to go out of your way to avoid if you’re trying to get the best ratio possible.

Let’s take a look at the worst 20 per typical serving (the amounts don’t matter as much as the ratios here):

In short, nuts and seeds have a terrible ratio. Nuts have an amino acid profile that’s quite low in lysine.

The only non-nuts that you need to limit are onion, garlic, and rice.

Hopefully this helps you find a vegan diet that works for you and is high in lysine, and relatively low in arginine.

Follow-Up Questions About Lysine and Arginine in Plants

How do I ensure I’m not causing nutrient deficiencies while focusing on high lysine and low arginine foods?

To prevent nutrient deficiencies while emphasizing high lysine and low arginine foods, it’s crucial to maintain a well-balanced diet. Include a variety of nutrient-rich foods in your meals, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. While prioritizing lysine-rich sources like legumes, quinoa, and tofu, ensure you still incorporate a range of other essential nutrients from diverse food groups to meet your overall nutritional needs. Consider consulting with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance on maintaining a balanced diet tailored to your specific health requirements.

What are the potential side effects or interactions of lysine supplements, and what dosage is appropriate?

Lysine supplements are generally considered safe when taken within recommended dosages, but potential side effects may include gastrointestinal issues. It’s essential to follow the recommended dosage guidelines provided by the supplement manufacturer or your healthcare provider. Moreover, be cautious about potential interactions with other medications or supplements you may be taking. Consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any supplementation is advisable to ensure safety and effectiveness based on your individual health circumstances.

Are there specific studies that detail the impact of diet on managing herpes symptoms?

Numerous studies explore the relationship between diet and the management of herpes symptoms (1). Research suggests that a diet rich in lysine and low in arginine may help reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. However, individual responses can vary, and it’s advisable to consult scientific literature or healthcare professionals for the most up-to-date and personalized information regarding the impact of diet on managing herpes symptoms.