Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are full of sugar and refined white flower.
We can look at to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the scary world of refined white flower.
Why you should avoid white flour
Whole grain consists of 3 parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is certainly a fantastic source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidant, next there is the endosperm (the part a lot of people haven't heard about!) this is the least useful part of the grain, and typically consists of carbohydrates. Finally, in the center, there is the germ, which contains protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've possibly already guessed, the refining method that is used to make white flower throws out the bran as well as the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain which contains the least nutritional value.
Flour, and then ultimately cookies (or bread, or a variety of other foods) that is made from the endosperm is very bad for your health. Why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it stays fresh longer. And products that keep longer make a lot more money. (which evidently is far more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to an entire plethora of health concerns. Including but certainly not limited to: gaining weight, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, digestive system difficulties, 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 any more. Everybody knows it's bad for us… but it makes food taste good, therefore we carry on eating it.
Lots of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies make the perfect example. They get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, for example honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or perhaps chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the healthy parts of the grain, just like nature intended.
I also feel like I ought to say that they actually taste better as well! Wouldn't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies seem much more indulgent and sophisticated than normal cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the secret hiding place behind the pans! Much too tasty for kids!