Regular cookies (they don't have to be chocolate chip) are full of sugar and refined white flower.
We'll look at to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the scary reality of refined white flower.
Why you need to avoid white flour
Whole grain contains 3 parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be an awesome source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidant, and then there is the endosperm (the part the majority of people haven't heard of!) this is the least beneficial part of the grain, and primarily consists of carbs. Last of all, in the middle, we have the germ, which includes proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've possibly already guessed, the refining procedure which is used to make white flower disgards the bran as well as the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that comes with the least nutritional value.
Flour, and then ultimately cookies (and bread, or any number of things) that is made from the endosperm is incredibly harmful to your health. So just why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it stays fresh longer. And products that stay fresh for longer generate much more money. (which of course is much more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause an entire plethora of problems. Including but certainly not limited to: gaining weight, diabetes, heart problems, cancer, digestion complications, the list continues!
And the sugar....
Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I have to beat it down any more. We are all aware it's bad for us… but it makes stuff taste good, so we carry on eating it.
A lot of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a good example. They are able to get their sweetness from healthy alternatives to sugar, for instance honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the healthy parts of the grain, exactly like nature intended.
I also believe that I need to point out that they actually taste better too! Don't you think? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are 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 place at the back of the pans! Far too tasty for kids!