Are Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Healthy?

Oatmeal raisin cookies sound like a nice healthy option at a first go, considering that oats and raisins are very healthy. But there is more to a 'cookie' than just these two ingredients. The preparation for any kind of cookie includes butter and sugar, which hugely contribute to fat. So there cannot be a direct yes / no answer given to the question are these cookies healthy.

As I had said earlier, the kind of butter used determines the 'healthiness' of these cookies. But one thing that can be said for sure is that low calorie oatmeal cookies are healthy when compared to other cookies, like say chocolate cookies, and definitely contribute to the nutrient content of the body.

So let's first get into the details of the chief ingredients - oatmeal, raisins, butter and sugar, and find out what they offer in terms of nutrients and other health benefits.

Oatmeal is a healthy and low carbohydrate food, and nutritionists recommend a bowl of oatmeal for a healthy and hearty breakfast. It is a rich source of insoluble and soluble fiber, vitamins, iron, zinc, proteins and carbohydrates.

Soluble fiber helps in reducing LDL cholesterol level, which is a bad cholesterol. Oats are also good for diabetic patients, and also help in the prevention of heart diseases. Thus, we can conclude that oatmeal is a healthy food, and it is best to begin your day with oatmeal.

Raisins are basically dried grapes, and are in fact one of the most nutritious fruits. The main benefit of raisins is that, they provide instant energy (because of the glucose and fructose). They are also cholesterol free, which makes them a healthy option. Apart from that, they are high on vitamin, anti oxidants, and nutrients level. Thus, raisins are considered to be very healthy.

Butter is a chief ingredient in the preparation of cookies, and there is no need to mention that butter is a source of harmful fats, which are responsible for weight gain. In most of the cookies, butter is the chief source of fats, though some cookies either have margarine or shortening as the fat source.

All the three - butter, margarine and shortening are sources of saturated fats and trans fats, which contribute to the cholesterol level, and thereby heart diseases. So the general recommendation for baking cookies is that, a low or no trans fat should be used. You should be careful about the ingredients, especially the fat used.

Sugar is one ingredient in cookies which cannot be ignored. The content of sugar in cookies generally depends on the recipe used, but it is generally advised to have cookies which are low in sugar. Sugar provides energy, apart from this, there are no vitamins, minerals or nutrients in cookies. Some manufactures sometimes add artificial sweeteners, which can cause more health risks.

So the health quotient of these cookies is debatable. Therefore it is best to have it in moderation and preferably in the morning hours. The health benefits aspect of cookies cannot be ignored, as oatmeal and raisins are very healthy. But a lot depends on the type of the recipe. Prefer eating cookies which are healthy and prepared from 'no trans fat' butter.

Before you buy cookies, check the ingredients for nutritional value. Prefer eating cookies made using healthy recipe. Bakers also add excess amounts of sugar and butter to increase the satiable value (taste). So the best option is to bake the cookies at home, as you are sure about what ingredients you are using and in what amount.

These cookies if eaten in excess amounts, contribute to fats and eventually pounds, which you ideally want to burn! So, eat these crunchy and tasty cookies in moderate amounts and within limits. We can conclude - they are healthy, but in moderate amounts.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.