Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are filled with sugar and refined white flower.
We shall look at to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the frightening truth of refined white flower.
The problem with white flour
Whole grain consists of three sections. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be a terrific source of fibre, B vitamins and antioxidant, next there is the endosperm (the section that a lot of people haven't heard about!) this is the least useful section of the grain, and predominantly consists of starches. And finally, in the middle, we have the germ, which has healthy proteins, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've probably already guessed, the refining process used to make white flower does away with the bran together with the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain with the very least nutritional value.
Flour, and then therefore cookies (and bread, and an assortment of other foods) which is made from the endosperm is very harmful to your health. So why do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it keeps longer. And products that stay fresh for longer generate more money. (which evidently is much more important than our health, right!?)
Refined white flower can lead to an entire host of health concerns. Including but definitely not limited to: excess weight, diabetes, heart problems, cancer, digestion difficulties, the list goes on forever!
Sugar
Sugar has got such a bad rep already that I don't think I have to beat it down any more. We know it's bad for us… but it makes stuff taste better, so we keep eating it.
Loads of things are just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies make the perfect example. They can get their sweetness from much healthier alternatives to sugar, such as honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, raisins, or perhaps chocolate!
Oatmeal cookies are also made with whole wheat flower, which includes all of the good parts of the grain, exactly like nature intended.
I also feel I need to add that they actually taste much better too! Don't you think? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are 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 spot at the back of the pans! Way too good for kids!