Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are brimming with sugar and refined white flower.
We will talk about to sugar later. First, let's take a quick delve into the alarming world of refined white flower.
White flour is not good news... here's why
Whole grain consists of 3 sections. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which is an excellent source of fibre, B vitamins and antioxidant, next we have the endosperm (the section many people haven't heard of!) this is the least nutritional part of the grain, and basically consists of carbs. Finally, in the center, we have the germ, which includes healthy proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've likely already guessed, the refining system that is used to produce white flower chucks out the bran along with the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain that includes the lowest nutritional value.
Flour, and therefore cookies (and bread, or a variety of other foods) which is made from the endosperm is incredibly detrimental to your health. Why then do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it lasts longer. And foods that keep longer make more profit. (which of course is far more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to a whole plethora of illnesses. Including but certainly not limited to: excess weight, diabetes, heart conditions, cancer, digestive complications, the list continues!
The problem with sugar
Sugar gets such a bad rep already that I don't think I need to beat it down anymore. Everybody knows it's bad for us… but it makes food taste good, which means that we keep eating it.
Many things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies make the perfect example. They can get their sweetness from healthier alternatives to sugar, for instance honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made using whole wheat flower, which includes all of the good parts of the grain, exactly as nature intended.
I also feel like I should add that they actually taste better as well! Don't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies seem 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 behind the pans! Way too tasty for kids!