Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are brimming with sugar and refined white flower.
We will look at to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the terrifying world of refined white flower.
Why you need to avoid white flour
Whole grain consists of three pieces. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be a good source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidants, then we have the endosperm (the part many people haven't heard about!) this is the least valuable part of the grain, and mostly consists of carbohydrates. Finally, at the heart, we have the germ, containing protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've probably already guessed, the refining method which 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 which has the least nutritional value.
Flour, and ultimately cookies (and bread, and a variety of other foods) which is made from the endosperm is incredibly damaging to your health. Why do they make it? Why does refined white flour even exist? Because it stays fresh longer. And products that don't go off so quickly generate a lot more money. (which evidently is significantly more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to an entire multitude of health concerns. Including but definitely not limited to: extra weight, diabetes, heart problems, cancers, digestive system difficulties, the list continues!
The sugar
Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I need to beat it down any more. Everyone knows it's bad for us… but it makes stuff taste good, which means we carry on eating it.
An abundance of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are the ideal example. They get their sweetness from healthy alternatives to sugar, such as honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, and even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are also made using whole wheat flower, which still includes all of the healthy parts of the grain, just as nature intended.
I also feel like I should point out that they actually taste much better too! Wouldn't you agree? 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 behind the pans! Much too tasty for kids!