Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are full of sugar and refined white flower.
We can talk about to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the horrifying world of refined white flower.
White flour health concerns
Whole grain is made of 3 sections. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is a great source of fibre, B vitamins and antioxidant, then there is the endosperm (the part many people haven't heard about!) this is the least useful part of the grain, and predominantly consists of starch. Last but not the least, in the middle, we have the germ, which contains protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've perhaps already guessed, the refining method which is used to make white flower chucks out the bran and the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain containing the very least nutritional value.
Flour, and ultimately cookies (and bread, or a whole range of other things) that is made from the endosperm is extremely detrimental to your health. Why do they make it? Why does refined white flour even exist? Because it keeps longer. And products that have a longer use by date generate more money. (which of course is far more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause a whole host of illnesses. Including but certainly not limited to: putting on weight, diabetes, heart problems, cancers, digestion difficulties, the list never ends!
Sugar
Sugar gets such a bad rep already that I don't think I have to beat it down any more. We all know it's bad for us… but it makes food taste better, and so we keep eating it.
Loads of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They can get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, for example honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made utilizing whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the healthy parts of the grain, exactly as nature intended.
I also feel that I ought to say that they actually taste much better as well! Wouldn't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are 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 spot at the back of the pans! Much too good for kids!