Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are high in sugar and refined white flower.
We can look at to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the scary truth of refined white flower.
Why you need to avoid white flour
Whole grain is made up of three pieces. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is an excellent source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidants, after that there is the endosperm (the section most people haven't heard of!) this is the least useful part of the grain, and predominantly consists of starches. Last but not least, at the center, we have the germ, which includes healthy proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've perhaps already guessed, the refining method that is used to produce white flower throws out the bran along with the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that comes with the least nutritional value.
Flour, and therefore cookies (or bread, or a variety of other foods) that is made from the endosperm is incredibly hazardous to your health. So why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it lasts longer. And foods that stay fresh for longer make more money. (which of course is far more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause a whole plethora of illnesses. Including but in no way limited to: excess fat, diabetes, heart conditions, tumors, digestion complications, the list goes on forever!
Now for the sugar
Sugar gets such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down any more. We know it's bad for us… but it makes things taste good, therefore we keep eating it.
A lot of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They get their sweetness from healthy alternatives to sugar, like honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or perhaps chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made utilizing whole wheat flower, which includes all of the good parts of the grain, exactly like nature intended.
I also believe that I need to point out that they actually taste much better as well! Wouldn't you think? To me at least, oatmeal cookies seem much more indulgent and sophisticated than regular cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the secret hiding spot at the back of the pans! Way too tasty for kids!