A Healthy Baked Potato How To Add The Right Toppings
The poor potato tends to start out nutritiously and then tends to get a bad rap because of its transformation into french fries that tend not to be prepared as healthfully as they could be, loaded baked potatoes and the whole all carbs are bad carbs misunderstanding.
Now that even my current home area of Las Vegas is starting to feel crisp weather, a baked potato can be a great comfort food choice if done right. It's not the potato, which is rich in B vitamins, potassium and fiber (if you eat the skin), has zero grams of trans fat, and just 130-160 calories (small to medium size), that's the problem. The secret to a satisfying, delicious and healthy baked potato is to use the right healthy baked potato toppings.
Here are a few suggestions for healthy baked potato toppings:
1. Instead of butter or margarine, use a substitute like Smart Balance
2. Sour cream should be fat-free ideally and certainly low fat otherwise
3. Make a pizza baked potato out of marinara sauce and fat free shredded mozzarella cheese
4. Give the yummy, but notoriously fattening, bacon and cheddar baked potato a healthy food makeover by using fat free shredded cheddar cheese and a Morningstar Farms Veggie Bacon Strip crumbled on top
5. Make a Southwestern baked potato with low fat taco Sauce, black beans and fat free shredded cheddar cheese
6. A broccoli and cheese baked potato is just right with fat free shredded cheddar cheese and broccoli florets.
BONUS TIPS: Make your baked potato faster by using a pre-washed, cellophane-wrapped and ready to microwave version available at your local supermarket. Make it organic if you don't mind a little more work. And if you like sweet potatoes, you get extra nutrition, so give yourself and A+!
Challenge yourself to make your baked potato a healthy one by being creative with healthy toppings. What is your favorite? We want to know!
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Although I strict to a balanced diet, I love fries specially potato. As for the boiled potato, alas, my palette has never really taken a liking to them. But I will obviously try healthy baked potato toppings over this weekend.
Posted by: Eat Smart Age Smart | May 28, 2009 at 08:50 AM
MIke, sounds good to me! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Posted by: Melanie Jordan | November 12, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I've always been a fan of emptying the jacket, mashing it, putting it back in the potatoe skin and then grilling with the low fat/salt cheese on top. Yum!
Posted by: Mike | November 11, 2008 at 04:27 AM