Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are loaded with 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.
White flour is not good news... here's why
Whole grain is comprised of 3 sections. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is a good source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidants, and then we have the endosperm (the section most people haven't heard of!) this is the least nutritional part of the grain, and mainly consists of starches. Lastly, in the middle, we have the germ, which includes healthy proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've likely already guessed, the refining procedure which is used to produce white flower throws out the bran and the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain which includes the least nutritional value.
Flour, and therefore cookies (or bread, and a variety of other things) that is made from the endosperm is very detrimental to your health. So just why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it keeps for a longer time. And foods that don't go off so quickly generate more money. (which of course is much more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to an entire host of health problems. Including but certainly not limited to: excess fat, diabetes, coronary disease, tumors, digestive difficulties, the list never ends!
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 stuff taste better, and so we keep eating it.
Lots of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a good example. They are able to get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, for example honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made utilizing whole wheat flower, which still includes all of the good parts of the grain, exactly like nature intended.
I also think that I need to point out that they actually taste better as well! Wouldn't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies seem far more indulgent and sophisticated than normal cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the top secret hiding place behind the pans! Way too good for kids!