Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are packed with sugar and refined white flower.
We shall get back to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the terrifying truth of refined white flower.
The problem with white flour
Whole grain is comprised of three sections. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be a terrific source of fibre, B vitamins and antioxidant, and then there is the endosperm (the part that the majority of people haven't heard about!) this is the least nutritional part of the grain, and mainly consists of starches. Lastly, in the centre, we have the germ, containing protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've likely already guessed, the refining method used to make white flower disgards the bran and the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that has the least nutritional value.
Flour, and then ultimately cookies (and bread, and a variety of other foods) that is made from the endosperm is very bad for your health. Why then do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it stays fresh for a longer time. And products that have a longer sell by date make more money. (which of course is far more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to a whole host of health concerns. Including but in no way limited to: weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, tumors, digestive function complications, the list goes on and on!
And now the sugar...
Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I need to beat it down any more. We all know it's bad for us… but it makes stuff taste good, which means we keep eating it.
A lot of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies make the perfect example. They are able to get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, including honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, and even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made using whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the good parts of the grain, just as nature intended.
I also feel that I need to say that they actually taste better as well! Don't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are a lot 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 at the back of the pans! Way too good for kids!