Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are high in sugar and refined white flower.
We can look at to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the alarming world of refined white flower.
The reason white flour is bad
Whole grain consists of 3 parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is certainly a terrific source of fibre, B vitamins and antioxidant, next we have the endosperm (the section many people haven't heard of!) this is the least useful section of the grain, and mainly consists of carbohydrates. Finally, in the center, we have the germ, that contains proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've probably already guessed, the refining system that 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 where there is the lowest nutritional value.
Flour, and then therefore cookies (as well as bread, or an assortment of other things) which is made from the endosperm is extremely detrimental to your health. Exactly why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it keeps for a longer time. And products that keep fresh longer generate more profit. (which evidently is significantly more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to a whole plethora of problems. Including but definitely not limited to: extra weight, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, digestive system difficulties, the list never ends!
Now for the sugar
Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down anymore. It is well known it's bad for us… but it makes food taste good, so we keep eating it.
Plenty of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They are able to get their sweetness from healthy alternatives to sugar, such as honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, and even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are also made using whole wheat flower, which includes 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 think? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are much more indulgent and sophisticated than normal cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the secret hiding spot at the back of the pans! Way too tasty for kids!