Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are full of sugar and refined white flower.
We'll talk about to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the terrifying world of refined white flower.
Why is white flour bad for you?
Whole grain is made of 3 sections. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be an effective source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidant, next we have the endosperm (the part a lot of people haven't heard about!) this is the least nutritional part of the grain, and mainly consists of starches. Last of all, in the center, there is the germ, that contains proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've perhaps already guessed, the refining system that is used to produce white flower throws out the bran together with the germ and focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain which includes the least nutritional value.
Flour, and then ultimately cookies (and bread, or an assortment of other things) that is made from the endosperm is very detrimental to your health. Exactly why do they make it? Why does refined white flour even exist? Because it keeps longer. And products that stay fresh for longer generate more money. (which of course is significantly more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause a whole host of health problems. Including but in no way limited to: excess weight, diabetes, heart problems, cancer, digestive system problems, the list goes on forever!
Now for the sugar
Sugar gets 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 things taste better, consequently we keep eating it.
An abundance of things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are the ideal example. They can get their sweetness from healthier alternatives to sugar, for example honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or maybe chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are made using whole wheat flower, which still contains all of the good parts of the grain, just as nature intended.
I also feel that I ought to say that they actually taste much better too! Wouldn't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies seem a lot 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!