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Does oil add calories to my brownie mix?

WhisperAnne
WhisperAnne Posts: 453 Member
edited February 8 in Food and Nutrition
For it being Thanksgiving I sure did great today calorie wise! I mainly ate veggies and splurged on sugar free brownies. ( yay me)

anyways, my box of sugar free brownies calls for 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of water, and 1/3 cup of oil. It then says to mix oil into the bowl and mix etc. I NEVER use oil and my brownies are delicious and moist! so taste isn't an issue at all. But I'm wondering, does the oil add extra calories then what the box states? the box says 1 brownie is 150 calories. If I don't include the oil does that make the calorie content for the brownie less? I estimate a brownie is 90 calories WITHOUT oil. But with oil 150.

I know I might be wrong but if anyone knows for sure the calorie content of my brownies without oil, please please let me know! :)

Replies

  • WhisperAnne
    WhisperAnne Posts: 453 Member
    Nothing processed is healthy, but it's okay to enjoy a snack without the added sugar. It is healthier than the original brownies with 15-20 grams of sugar in one serving. I cant have sugar at all, and sugar free is my only option. I have been making this brownie mix for awhile now and I have been perfectly fine.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    edit to add: If I take out the oil (which it just depends on how i want them) I will sub in applesauce in its place. I use applesauce in other baking recipe that call for oil as well especially my baked breads (pumpkin, banana nut, etc).
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    Glad to see that you don't take all blanket statements like that for truth. You need to find what works for your body to lose weight, not follow someone else's mantra. However, as to your oil query, the nutrient label on the box usually has all the ingredients they list to bake it included in the calorie total. I often replace oil in my baking with fruit puree, just for moisture. That being said, fats are absolutely essential, especially for women. Ultra low calories diets usually cut out fat, which we need for nutrient absorption and hormonal regulation. I tried low-calorie/low-fat before and it was like I was constantly PMSing and refusing to allow myself anything to mitigate it, even though my body was calling out for a hamburger! That was a big set up for a crash and burn. You sound like you have your thinking right so you'll probably be quite successful with this. :) Best of luck!!
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I had half of a cheesecake today. I'm also a bodybuilder (meaning I have very low body fat) and my blood work came back perfect last week. Eating boxed foods or sugar does not jeopardize weight loss.

    ETA: Usually the box lists "just mix" or "as prepared" so if you see the "as prepared" column and you prepared it using their ingredient directions that calorie count is correct. Thanksgiving is just one day though, so if you are off a bit on your calculations it's not a big deal.
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    serious answer: OP, there is nutritional information listed on the box for the dry mix. use the recipe builder and add the dry mix and egg as 12 or 16 servings (or however many brownies you are making). your calorie count will be correct this way and you don't have to estimate.

    eta: the nutritional information for 1 brownie as listed on the box is "as prepared", but there is also a column for "dry mix" and those are the values you will plug in to use in your recipe.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Of course. But they taste better. Eat one brownie rather than several. No big deal
  • srslybritt
    srslybritt Posts: 1,618 Member
    lol, enjoy your brownies, my friend. But just be careful about those evil brownie ingredients... you know, like, flour, eggs, and water... they're evil and will cause you weight gain!

    I would check the nutrition label on whatever oil you would use if you didn't cut it out. Like if the recipe calls for vegetable oil, check the label and subtract the calories on the label for amount you would use in your brownies.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    *sigh*

    1) ingredients in brownie mix will not stop progress. Your diet as a whole will determine your results (as will your activity)

    2) processed =/= unhealthy. Processed can provide a lot of nutrients.


    OP: read the packet. If should indicate whether for unprepared or prepared. If it does not say, you should assume it is for prepared.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Yes if you are omitting the oil, you should subtract that number of cals for that oil from your recipe and then divide by number of servings to know how many less calories you are consuming.

    BTW? Do they taste okay with no oil? Do they get dry or hard?
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    Yes if you are omitting the oil, you should subtract that number of cals for that oil from your recipe and then divide by number of servings to know how many less calories you are consuming.

    BTW? Do they taste okay with no oil? Do they get dry or hard?

    I like to use sour cream or Greek yogurt (not the non fat kind!) In place of oil. Not because oil is bad or anything, but because less calories means I can eat more brownies and more brownies is always a good thing.

    My logic is flawless
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Yes if you are omitting the oil, you should subtract that number of cals for that oil from your recipe and then divide by number of servings to know how many less calories you are consuming.

    BTW? Do they taste okay with no oil? Do they get dry or hard?

    I like to use sour cream or Greek yogurt (not the non fat kind!) In place of oil. Not because oil is bad or anything, but because less calories means I can eat more brownies and more brownies is always a good thing.

    My logic is flawless

    tuna brownie
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    Yes if you are omitting the oil, you should subtract that number of cals for that oil from your recipe and then divide by number of servings to know how many less calories you are consuming.

    BTW? Do they taste okay with no oil? Do they get dry or hard?

    I like to use sour cream or Greek yogurt (not the non fat kind!) In place of oil. Not because oil is bad or anything, but because less calories means I can eat more brownies and more brownies is always a good thing.

    My logic is flawless

    tuna brownie

    Stahp!!
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Yes if you are omitting the oil, you should subtract that number of cals for that oil from your recipe and then divide by number of servings to know how many less calories you are consuming.

    BTW? Do they taste okay with no oil? Do they get dry or hard?

    I like to use sour cream or Greek yogurt (not the non fat kind!) In place of oil. Not because oil is bad or anything, but because less calories means I can eat more brownies and more brownies is always a good thing.

    My logic is flawless

    tuna brownie

    Stahp!!

    tumblr_mga0qs4UjP1rtv2ayo1_500.gif
  • gigglesinthesun
    gigglesinthesun Posts: 860 Member
    this whole post makes me feel funny about my brownies, cause they are about 2lbs of chocolate with some eggs and butter and ... gasp ... sugar and a bit of flour (from wheat ... who would've thought) ... not something that would count as remotely healthy ... but whilst it has the calories of a whole meal, but it also fills you up :-)
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Yes if you are omitting the oil, you should subtract that number of cals for that oil from your recipe and then divide by number of servings to know how many less calories you are consuming.

    BTW? Do they taste okay with no oil? Do they get dry or hard?

    I like to use sour cream or Greek yogurt (not the non fat kind!) In place of oil. Not because oil is bad or anything, but because less calories means I can eat more brownies and more brownies is always a good thing.

    My logic is flawless
    tnkx. anything to fit more chocolate into my cals.:love:
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,129 Member
    For it being Thanksgiving I sure did great today calorie wise! I mainly ate veggies and splurged on sugar free brownies. ( yay me)

    anyways, my box of sugar free brownies calls for 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of water, and 1/3 cup of oil. It then says to mix oil into the bowl and mix etc. I NEVER use oil and my brownies are delicious and moist! so taste isn't an issue at all. But I'm wondering, does the oil add extra calories then what the box states? the box says 1 brownie is 150 calories. If I don't include the oil does that make the calorie content for the brownie less? I estimate a brownie is 90 calories WITHOUT oil. But with oil 150.

    I know I might be wrong but if anyone knows for sure the calorie content of my brownies without oil, please please let me know! :)

    Your math suggests you're getting 11 brownies out of a pan (which is odd because it is odd :smile: --traditional methods of cutting a pan of brownies yield an even number of brownies. (1/3 cup of oil = 5.33 Tbsp oil; at 124 calories per tablespoon, that's an extra 660 calories for the whole pan; 660 calories divided by your guess of a 60-calorie difference would only be right if there are 11 brownies in the pan. Divide 660 by the number of brownies you cut, and subtract the result from 150 to get the calories for your oil-free version.)
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I'm THANKFUL for threads like this....just kidding. :indifferent:
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    *Looks at food diary*

    *Looks down at ticker*

    Someone forgot to tell my body that it can't lose weight eating brownies and such. Hell, last Thanksgiving week I ate cheesecake every day and lost a pound.

    OP, I'd look into a substitute for the oil. Some good suggestions have already been given-- applesauce, greek yogurt, or sour cream. I think some people also use pumpkin puree.

    Use the recipe builder to get an accurate calorie count. Add the dry mix (make sure you specify "dry" or "unprepared" when you search the database), then add your eggs and whatever else. Then enter how many servings you made and you're good to go.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Yes if you are omitting the oil, you should subtract that number of cals for that oil from your recipe and then divide by number of servings to know how many less calories you are consuming.

    BTW? Do they taste okay with no oil? Do they get dry or hard?

    I like to use sour cream or Greek yogurt (not the non fat kind!) In place of oil. Not because oil is bad or anything, but because less calories means I can eat more brownies and more brownies is always a good thing.

    My logic is flawless

    tuna brownie

    Stahp!!

    Oil packed tuna?

    And Joan? No, just no.
  • cicisiam
    cicisiam Posts: 491 Member
    Read the Label
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    OP: to answer your question.... calculate the calories for each ingredient used, in the quantity used, add it all together, then divide it by the number of brownies the recipe produces, for the calories per brownie (this assumes you make equal sized brownies with the recipe)
  • allisonrinkel
    allisonrinkel Posts: 224 Member
    I really really want some brownies. Thanks.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I really really want some brownies. Thanks.

    Sabotage! :laugh:
  • Olivia
    Olivia Posts: 10,137 MFP Staff
    Hey Folks,

    I removed an off topic post and a bunch of quoted replies from this topic.

    Thanks!
    Olivia
    MyFitnessPal Community Manager
  • Levesque_7
    Levesque_7 Posts: 104
    lol, enjoy your brownies, my friend. But just be careful about those evil brownie ingredients... you know, like, flour, eggs, and water... they're evil and will cause you weight gain!


    This is just WRONG! Um, flour, eggs and water are NOT bad for you. It's the over consumption of calories that make you gain weight, not the ingredients in the mix.
  • SkinnyFatAlbert
    SkinnyFatAlbert Posts: 482 Member
    It seems like most boxes have an as-packaged and an prepared value which takes into account all the ingredients. I could be wrong. To get the non-oil value figure out the calorie value for the amount of oil called for then divide by the number of servings then subtract that number from the prepared calories.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    why don't you just make your own from scratch and then make your own entry?

    wouldn't that be easier.

    PS- I'd kill myself if I could only eat sugar free brownies- that's a whole big huge-what's the point.
  • astrovivi
    astrovivi Posts: 183 Member
    Nothing processed is healthy, but it's okay to enjoy a snack without the added sugar. It is healthier than the original brownies with 15-20 grams of sugar in one serving. I cant have sugar at all, and sugar free is my only option. I have been making this brownie mix for awhile now and I have been perfectly fine.

    that is not strictly true. Whey protein is processed and is extremely healthy :)

    however, you should probably share the brand and details of your brownie mix or it's difficult to answer your question.
    It depends what it states on the packet.
This discussion has been closed.

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