Source: USDA FoodData Central · Chocolate Chip · Data verified by CaloriesCalc
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000 kcal diet.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 439mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 2.3mg | 13% | |
| Thiamine | 0.14mg | 12% | |
| Phosphorus | 98mg | 8% | |
| Riboflavin | 0.11mg | 8% | |
| Niacin | 1.3mg | 8% | |
| Magnesium | 21mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 138mg | 3% | |
| Zinc | 0.5mg | 5% | |
| Vitamin A | 27µg | 3% |
| Weight | Calories | Protein | Net Carbs | Fat |
|---|
Chocolate chip cookie (commercial). Oatmeal raisin: ~460 kcal. Large restaurant cookie (~150g): ~720 kcal. Oreo: ~471 kcal/100g. Thin mints: ~40 kcal each.
Cookies combine fat, sugar, and salt in optimal ratios to maximise eating reward and minimise satiety signals. This specific ratio activates the brain's dopamine reward system more powerfully than foods dominated by either macronutrient alone — explaining why 'just one' is genuinely difficult.
At 439mg sodium per 100g, cookies are surprisingly high in sodium. Commercial bakers add salt because it enhances sweet taste perception and creates more complex flavour. Regular cookie consumption contributes meaningfully to sodium intake — often overlooked because we associate sodium with savoury foods.
Reducing sugar in a recipe by 25% is barely perceptible. Substituting half the butter with unsweetened applesauce cuts fat without compromising texture dramatically. Using whole wheat or oat flour adds fiber and lowers GI. Making smaller cookies is the most effective single intervention.
Home recipe cookies (28g each): 134 kcal. DoubleTree hotel chocolate chip cookie (70g): 336 kcal. Levain Bakery giant cookie (170g): ~820 kcal. One 'special' bakery cookie can deliver 40-50% of a daily calorie goal.
Nutrition values from USDA FoodData Central. Not medical advice.