@tdemaria It could be be the sugar, but It can also be a food allergy to anything in the cookie. I've have been through this too. After giving up wheat and gluten, I still had other food allergies I had to figure out. I remember my hand feeling like it was hit with a hammer, and then I gave up dairy, and the pain stopped. You have to do an elimination diet to figure that out, but when you get all the foods out of your diet that cause inflammation, you'll feel much better, and it is so worth it. Apparently there are a lot of foods that are triggers for gout. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/gout-diet/art-20048524 Eating foods that reduce inflammation will go a long way toward good health as almost every disease starts with inflammation. Clogged arteries starts first with inflammation in the arterial wall that cause swelling, and then plaque builds up later on the inflamed area. Stevia is a natural extract of a plant and a good substitute for sugar and doesn't raise your blood sugar. You might want to work with a nutritionist for help figuring out what is safe to eat.