Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are full of sugar and refined white flower.
We can talk about to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the scary world of refined white flower.
The problem with white flour
Whole grain is made of three parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is certainly an awesome source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidant, after that we have the endosperm (the section the majority of people haven't heard of!) this is the least valuable part of the grain, and mostly consists of carbohydrates. Last but not least, in the center, we have the germ, containing proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've perhaps already guessed, the refining system that is used to produce white flower chucks out the bran as well as the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that comes with the lowest nutritional value.
Flour, and then ultimately cookies (as well as bread, and a whole range of other foods) that is made from the endosperm is extremely detrimental to your health. Exactly why do they make it? Why does refined white flour even exist? Because it stays fresh longer. And foods that keep fresh longer make a lot more profit. (which evidently is far more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause an entire plethora of health concerns. Including but definitely not limited to: weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, digestive function complications, the list goes on and on!
Now for the sugar
Sugar has got such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down anymore. We all know it's bad for us… but it makes things taste good, which means we carry on eating it.
An abundance of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They are able to get their sweetness from healthier alternatives to sugar, including honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, and even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made utilizing whole wheat flower, which includes all of the healthy parts of the grain, exactly as nature intended.
I also think that I need to add that they actually taste better as well! Don'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 top secret hiding place at the back of the pans! Far too tasty for kids!