Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are filled with sugar and refined white flower.
We will talk about to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the horrifying world of refined white flower.
Why you need to avoid white flour
Whole grain is comprised of 3 parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be a terrific source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidant, then we have the endosperm (the section that a lot of people haven't heard about!) this is the least beneficial part of the grain, and mostly consists of carbohydrates. Last of all, at the heart, there is the germ, that has healthy proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've possibly already guessed, the refining process which is used to produce white flower disgards the bran as well as the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that comes with the very least nutritional value.
Flour, and ultimately cookies (as well as bread, and a variety of other things) that is made from the endosperm is extremely bad for your health. So why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it lasts longer. And foods that keep longer make more money. (which of course is way more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause an entire host of health conditions. Including but in no way limited to: gaining of weight, diabetes, heart conditions, tumors, digestive system problems, the list goes on forever!
Now for the sugar
Sugar has got such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down any more. It is well known it's bad for us… but it makes food taste better, so we carry on eating it.
An abundance of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a wonderful example. They get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, like honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the good parts of the grain, just as nature intended.
I also feel I need to add that they actually taste much better too! Wouldn't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are a lot more indulgent and sophisticated than regular cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the top secret hiding spot at the back of the pans! Much too tasty for kids!