# Does Sugar trigger EM Symptoms?

**URL:** <https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/does-sugar-trigger-em-symptoms/676>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [April 22, 2014, 3:29am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/does-sugar-trigger-em-symptoms/676 "2014-04-22T03:29:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Stardust67](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/stardust67/32/2365_2.png) [@Stardust67](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Stardust67)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 3:29am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/does-sugar-trigger-em-symptoms/676/1 "2014-04-22T03:29:06Z")

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I am finding that a high sugar diet triggers my EM. I had a suspicion this was true when I tried a low carb diet for a for a while and my symptoms improved but this is hard for me as I have a very sweet tooth! Hubby bought me a large Easter egg and I scoffed the lot over 2 days. Now my feet are bright read and burning it’s the worst flare for a while and hasn’t gone down yet. I am up talking to you guys (it’s 4.30am in uk) cos I’m too sore to sleep!

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**Author:** ![Alina\_D](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/alina_d/32/281_2.png) [@Alina\_D](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Alina_D)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 1:24am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/does-sugar-trigger-em-symptoms/676/2 "2014-04-23T01:24:05Z")

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I am sorry your yummy treats give you such bad flares. I don't know what I would do if I had to give up or even limit my sweets! I know others have definite links between certain foods and flares but other than wine and spicy food nothing else seems to make any noticeable difference. I even tried the elimination diet with the help of a dietitian for a little over 3 months by the time I introduced all of my foods back In and unfortunately nothing made a difference.

I had mixed emotions on food being an issue. It would be great if eliminating a certain food would make me feel better but I was hoping if there was a certain food it wasn't something I liked too much!

I have never tried it but have you tried sugar free candy?? At least here in the US they have quite a bit to choose from. A stronger person than me would recommend fresh fruit if that didn't cause flaring but for me there is no substitute for chocolate!!!

Take care,

Alina

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**Author:** ![Hugh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Hugh](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Hugh)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/does-sugar-trigger-em-symptoms/676/3 "2026-02-03T17:14:36Z")

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For me, yes, sugar 100% causes worse EM. I don’t eat much sugar, but whenever I do, it flares my EM. That includes fresh fruit, unfortunately. 1 or 2 pieces isn’t usually a problem, but a bowl of fresh cherries in season, for instance, are bad.

Carbs - any carbs - are also problematic. Spuds, rice, bread, pasta; it doesn’t matter which. I have to minimise my carb intake.