Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are filled 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.
Why is white flour bad for you?
Whole grain is comprised of three pieces. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is certainly an awesome source of fibre, B vitamins and antioxidant, then there is the endosperm (the part a lot of people haven't heard about!) this is the least nutritional section of the grain, and mainly consists of carbohydrates. Last but not least, in the middle, we have the germ, which has protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've probably already guessed, the refining procedure which is used to make white flower throws out the bran as well as the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that includes the least nutritional value.
Flour, and then ultimately cookies (and bread, and an assortment of other foods) which is made from the endosperm is incredibly hazardous to your health. So just why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it lasts longer. And products that don't go off so quickly make much more profit. (which of course is significantly more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause a whole host of health conditions. Including but definitely not limited to: excess weight, diabetes, heart problems, cancer, digestive function complications, the list never ends!
Sugar
Sugar gets such a bad rep already that I don't think I need to beat it down any more. We are all aware it's bad for us… but it makes food taste better, which means that we keep eating it.
Lots of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a wonderful example. They get their sweetness from much healthier alternatives to sugar, for example honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are also made with whole wheat flower, which includes all of the good parts of the grain, exactly as nature intended.
I also believe that I need to add 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 top secret hiding spot behind the pans! Much too tasty for kids!