By Susan Hunt-Bradford, Healthy Planet Publisher
I know some people stay away from the carbs in potatoes but potatoes are actually quite healthy and low in calories. I don’t eat them every day but a baked potato can become a tasty side with a salad or a light main entrée depending on what you top them with. Some toppings can get you into serious high calorie trouble so here are some toppings to keep your potato healthy and lower in calories. In the summer I cook the potato in the microwave or air fryer just to keep the hot oven off.
Each family member can personalize their potato how they like it.
Baked potato stats:
- One medium-sized baked potato contains:
- Calories: 160.
- Fat: Less than 1 gram.
- Sodium: 17 milligrams.
- Carbohydrates: 37 grams.
- Dietary fiber: 4 grams.
- Protein: 4 grams.
Healthy Toppings:
- Low fat cottage cheese with salsa and pineapple chunks
- Light ranch with broccoli or other non-starchy vegetables
- Light French onion dip with broccoli and sprinkled with everything seasoning
- Cheese dip with any non-starchy vegetable
- Nonfat plain Greek yogurt, reduced fat feta cheese or blue cheese, green onion.
- Refried beans, salsa and guacamole
- Guacamole or sliced avocado, black beans, and low fat cheese
- Baked chicken breast, light alfredo sauce, sauteed spinach and mushrooms
- Canned tuna mixed with light mayo
- Vegan veggie crumbles like the ones by Boca or Morningstar Farms with cheese dip or light shredded cheese.
- And of course there’s always a sweet potato that I like to eat plain but there are a lot of fun toppings you can do with a sweet potato also.
How do you top your baked potato? Email me at thpsusan@yahoo.com and let me know.