Question about protein & vegetables added to Goodies

What do you think about adding mashed up black beans or zucchini to brownie mixes, cake mixes, cookies and other sweets? Do you think that just because a person adds beans or zucchini that it crosses out the fat grams, sugar grams, carbs, calorie count? Do you think that beings you add this that it automatically makes it a healthy choice, and its okay to eat all you want of it? I know of several people that think its now okay to eat what they want of brownies, cakes, cookies, and other desserts just because it has black beans or zucchini in it? So to heck with moderation? Do they think the fat, sugar, carbs, and calories just POOF into thin air?  Just curious as to what others think about this...Thanks for your thoughts.

I still think it s all bout moderation. Using the beans in place of say the oils cuts down on the fat and gives it protein...but we still have to use our heads and eat in moderation. Pigging out was what got us here in the first place!

I think "all about moderation" is a dangerous thing to promote post-op. Many of us ended up having surgery because we failed spectacularly at "moderation," and having your guts rearranged doesn't necessarily fix that.

Moderation sucks. 

Oh, I am so glad that I read this thread!  I totally agree, Sparklekitty.   We had our support group meeting this past Monday night and our surgeon was telling us the old adage, "everything in moderation".  I was sitting there thinking the exact words that you stated in your reply.  The moderation BS just doesn't work for me.  I have to avoid, avoid, avoid.  You are so right.  If I could have used moderation in the first place, I never would have needed surgery. 

Words fail me! It's ok, I know it is not YOU thinking this! 

1. Whatever you add, you still get the carbs, sugars, fats depending on the cake. And a brownie made with beans is still high calorie. 

2. We are supposed to be learning to eat healthily and finding substitutes which pander to the tastes for the same old things that got us fat in the first place aren't doing that. 

You are right, its not me that I am talking about...The person I am talking about, I don't think has a clue that there is still sugar, fats, carbs and etc in these foods, yet alone all the calories...When I was a teenager, my parents didn't have a clue either about healthy eating, and making good choices...Back then we had to eat what was provided which was usually fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, potpie squares in broth, homemade dressing, macaroni and cheese and etc...Mom made these foods because it was a cheap way to feed a family of 6...To be honest, I don't think she had any education about eating healthy because she fixed the type of foods that her mother made...So I think this is what is happening with the person that Ive been concerned about....Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this.

This plays right into my pet peeve - you know, the one where if you add protein powder to something it automatically makes it good for you!

A muffin with protein powder in it is ....  wait for it ...  a muffin with protein powder in it!!!!!!

I have lived with this surgery for nearly 11 years by eating well - minimal processed foods (never say never!) - clean, real food.   No substitutes, no artificials versions of the real thing whi*****ludes protein powders and protein substitutes of things (like noodles and chips etc)

I am NOT perfect and I never profess to be, but this choice has been relatively good to me.   I do have an opinion on this (clearly!) but if people are happy substituting stuff to continue to eat how they want - then they should have at it!   We must all experience our own weight loss journey and as long as we are happy with it, then we should have at it.

ETA:   I should confess that I never eat cake or muffins or desserts - I think I could - I just really have no interest.    Every year I throw cake from my son's birthday away without having even a taste.   Yes, I am weird LOL!

I knew you would beat me to this.

Sugar is sugar, carbs are carbs, and unless adding a veggie or black beans replaces sutar or flour, it's going to do just as much damage, with a sprinkling of added nutrition.

It reminds me of a behavioral study I saw on television one day where two bowls were placed on a table with candy. The same candy was in each bowl, but one was marked "fat free".  The fat-free bowl emptied 5x faster than the other.