Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are brimming with sugar and refined white flower.
We are going to look at to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the horrifying world of refined white flower.
White flour is not good news... here's why
Whole grain is made of 3 parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is certainly an excellent source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidants, then there is the endosperm (the part many people haven't heard of!) this is the least nutritional section of the grain, and basically consists of carbs. Last of all, in the middle, we have the germ, which has healthy proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've probably already guessed, the refining system which is used to make white flower does away with the bran along with the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain with the least nutritional value.
Flour, and then ultimately cookies (and also bread, and an assortment of other things) which is made from the endosperm is incredibly harmful to your health. Exactly why do they make it? Why does refined white flour even exist? Because it stays fresh for a longer time. And products that stay fresh for longer make more money. (which evidently is far more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause a whole plethora of health conditions. Including but in no way limited to: fat gain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, tumors, digestion problems, the list continues!
The sugar
Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I have to beat it down any more. Everybody knows it's bad for us… but it makes food taste better, consequently we carry on 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 much healthier alternatives to sugar, like honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flower, which includes all of the good parts of the grain, just like nature intended.
I also believe that I need to point out that they actually taste better as well! Don't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies seem 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!