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 terrifying reality of refined white flower.
Why white flour is bad
Whole grain contains three pieces. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be a very good source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidant, next there is the endosperm (the section that the majority of people haven't heard of!) this is the least nutritional part of the grain, and mainly consists of starch. Lastly, at the heart, there is the germ, which includes protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've perhaps already guessed, the refining process which is 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 that includes the very least nutritional value.
Flour, and therefore cookies (as well as bread, or a whole range of other foods) which is made from the endosperm is incredibly damaging to your health. So just why do they make it? Why does refined white flour even exist? Because it lasts for a longer time. And foods that keep longer make a lot more profit. (which evidently is significantly more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause a whole plethora of health issues. Including but in no way limited to: putting on weight, diabetes, coronary disease, tumors, digestive system problems, the list never ends!
The sugar
Sugar seems to have such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down anymore. Everybody knows it's bad for us… but it makes food taste better, which means we carry on eating it.
Many things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are the ideal example. They are able to get their sweetness from much healthier alternatives to sugar, for instance honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, and even chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made with whole wheat flower, which still includes all of the healthy parts of the grain, just as nature intended.
I also feel that I ought to point out that they actually taste much better as well! Don't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are far 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 good for kids!