Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are brimming with sugar and refined white flower.
We'll get back to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the alarming truth 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 happens to be an effective source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidants, after that there is the endosperm (the part that most people haven't heard about!) this is the least valuable section of the grain, and mainly consists of carbohydrates. Finally, at the heart, there is the germ, which includes healthy proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've likely already guessed, the refining method used to make white flower does away with the bran as well as the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain which includes the least nutritional value.
Flour, and then therefore cookies (as well as bread, or a whole range of other things) that is made from the endosperm is very bad for your health. Exactly why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it lasts for a longer time. And products that keep longer make much more money. (which of course is far more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to an entire plethora of diseases. Including but in no way limited to: extra weight, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, digestion complications, the list continues!
Now for the sugar
Sugar has got such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down anymore. Everyone knows it's bad for us… but it makes things taste better, therefore we carry on eating it.
Lots of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They get their sweetness from healthier alternatives to sugar, for example honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the good parts of the grain, exactly as nature intended.
I also believe that I ought to say that they actually taste better too! Wouldn't you think? 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 secret hiding spot behind the pans! Much too tasty for kids!