Regular cookies (they don't need to be chocolate chip) are packed with sugar and refined white flower.
We can look at to sugar later. First, let's have a quick delve into the alarming truth of refined white flower.
The problem with white flour
Whole grain is made of three parts. From the outside moving in we have the bran, which happens to be a terrific source of fibre, B vitamins and anti-oxidants, after that we have the endosperm (the part most people haven't heard about!) this is the least useful part of the grain, and mostly consists of carbohydrates. Lastly, in the centre, there is the germ, consisting of protein, minerals, fat and more B vitamins.
As you've perhaps already guessed, the refining process used to produce white flower disgards the bran along with the germ and just focusses on the endosperm. The part of the grain with the lowest nutritional value.
Flour, and then therefore cookies (and also bread, and any number of foods) which is made from the endosperm is extremely harmful to your health. Why then do they make it? Exactly why does refined white flour even exist? Because it keeps longer. And products that keep longer generate a lot more profit. (which evidently is far more important than our well being, right!?)
Refined white flower can cause a whole plethora of medical conditions. Including but in no way limited to: excess weight, diabetes, heart problems, cancer, digestive function complications, the list goes on and on!
The sugar
Sugar has got such a bad rep already that I don't think I ought to beat it down any more. We are all aware it's bad for us… but it makes things taste better, so we keep eating it.
Many things taste just as good without sugar too. Oatmeal cookies are a fantastic example. They are able to get their sweetness from more healthy alternatives to sugar, for example 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, just as nature intended.
I also feel I ought to point out that they actually taste much better as well! Wouldn't you agree? To me at least, oatmeal cookies are much more indulgent and sophisticated than regular cookies… and don't get me started on oatmeal cookies with stem ginger! They always get the top secret hiding spot at the back of the pans! Way too good for kids!