Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are brimming with sugar and refined white flower.
We can get back to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the horrifying world of refined white flower.
The reason white flour is bad
Whole grain contains three parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is certainly an excellent source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidant, after that we have the endosperm (the section many people haven't heard of!) this is the least nutritional part of the grain, and typically consists of starches. Last but not least, at the center, there is the germ, which incorporates protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've possibly already guessed, the refining system that is used to produce white flower chucks out the bran as well as the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that includes the lowest nutritional value.
Flour, and ultimately cookies (and bread, or an assortment of other things) which is made from the endosperm is extremely hazardous to your health. Why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it stays fresh longer. And products that have a longer sell by date make more profit. (which evidently is significantly more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause an entire multitude of health concerns. Including but certainly not limited to: an increase in weight, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, digestive function difficulties, the list continues!
The sugar
Sugar has got such a bad rep already that I don't think I need to beat it down anymore. It is well known it's bad for us… but it makes things taste better, thus we keep eating it.
Lots of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a wonderful example. They can get their sweetness from much healthier alternatives to sugar, like honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made using whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the good parts of the grain, exactly as nature intended.
I also feel I need to say that they actually taste better as well! Don't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies seem far 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 good for kids!