You say potato...I say po-tah-to...

petithamu

So I really like baked potatoes. I keep hearing/reading mixed reviews on whether or not potatoes are good for you. I usually buy Vivaldi baking potatoes which is about 200 gram a potato. The weigh of the potato has always shocked me because it's only the size of my fist! It's a bit surprisingly to know a potato the size of my fist is 300 kcal according to MFP food database. But I also checked other potatoes and 200 gram they're only 180 - 200 kcal. How come they could be so different? I mean...it's all potatoes! I don't know if I should log the high kcal one or just choose an average...

I find it a really good source for energy and fiber. I don't use butter, I don't use cream, my toppings are normally Heinz baked beans with some form of protein like canned tuna or grilled chicken breasts and that's it. I'd like to think it's a really healthy meal but the calorie count of these potatoes are scaring me!

Are there any potato experts out there that can shine some lights on my potato confusion?

Tiffany

ajbeans

It depends on the type of potato it is. Russet, Yukon Gold, Klondike Golddust, Red... there are a lot of different kinds of potatoes. Do a search for that specific potato, and if it's not in the database, Google it.

If you eat the skin, it's also a fantastic source of potassium. I love potatoes.

nehtaeh

I don't often eat them as I don't buy them - hubby is allergic. I do like them though and they provide so much more than just calories that I feel ok about the high cal count. As for the correct number of calories per potato - I don't know, but I'm interested if anyone else has the knowledge.

xXAlana21Xx

i dont know for sure but i just love my potatoes.... one of my all time favorite foods lol.

Cbandelier

Different types of potatoes have different proportion of starches and sugars, which would lead to different amounts of calories. That's why some potatoes are better for baking, some better for mashed, etc.

Some people will say that potatoes are the devil and you should never eat them (high carb, white, starchy)

Potatoes do have a lot of beneficial nutrients.

Personally I feel like it is ok to have one every once in a while, if your calorie goal allows. Not every day. Not as french fries :P

If you can eat the skin, definitely do so.

petithamu

I just found this:

'Apparently, a 100g serving of boiled Vivaldi potatoes contains just 53 calories and 12.6g carbohydrate compared to the 72 calories and 17g carbohydrate found in regular spuds.

I always buy Vivaldi because it's a good size. According to this, my calorie intake for one Vivaldi should be 106 kcal! that's a huge difference from the 300 kcal MFP database is showing! Ahh....I'm soo confused!

ajbeans

Go with what you found in the Google search. The MFP database is user-submitted, and quite often I'm finding wrong numbers on things.

petithamu

Different types of potatoes have different proportion of starches and sugars, which would lead to different amounts of calories. That's why some potatoes are better for baking, some better for mashed, etc.

Some people will say that potatoes are the devil and you should never eat them (high carb, white, starchy)

Potatoes do have a lot of beneficial nutrients.

Personally I feel like it is ok to have one every once in a while, if your calorie goal allows. Not every day. Not as french fries :P

If you can eat the skin, definitely do so.

That's good to know. i always eat the skin, I actually think it tastes better with the skin. I only eat it twice a week so I think that should be okay...maybe I should switch to sweet potatoes....ah...i can't give up carbs, ever!

Pinoy_Pal

All this potato talk is making me hungry! :grumble:

shreddingit

the thing with potatoes is that they convert to fat easily,like yams and corn, Moderation is key with those vegetables.

Just_Dot

Corn isn't a vegetable...it's a grain. :0)
Per Dr. Wiki: Maize (Zea mays L. ssp. mays, pronounced /ˈmeɪz/), known in many English-speaking countries as corn, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times.

bsoxluvr

The Vivaldi potato is a cultivar of potato developed by a company called Naturally Best, based in Lincolnshire, England.

Lab studies have shown Vivaldi to be lower in calories and carbohydrates than many other popular potato varieties.[1] The name was chosen as a reference to Antonio Vivaldi, since, as the potatoes are grown both in the UK and overseas, they are available during all "Four Seasons" of the year.[citation needed]

Vivaldi is a Second Early variety producing oval tubers with yellow skin and pale yellow flesh and which are resistant to scab. As well as being known as ‘weight watcher’s potato’ it is also referred to as the ‘butterless baker’ as its creamy texture and flavour mean that as a baked potato, it does not necessarily need butter to improve its flavour. As with most potatoes it can also be boiled, roasted, baked or mashed

Found that on Wikipedia. Didn't know there was a "weight watchers" potato!

petithamu

The Vivaldi potato is a cultivar of potato developed by a company called Naturally Best, based in Lincolnshire, England.

Lab studies have shown Vivaldi to be lower in calories and carbohydrates than many other popular potato varieties.[1] The name was chosen as a reference to Antonio Vivaldi, since, as the potatoes are grown both in the UK and overseas, they are available during all "Four Seasons" of the year.[citation needed]

Vivaldi is a Second Early variety producing oval tubers with yellow skin and pale yellow flesh and which are resistant to scab. As well as being known as ‘weight watcher’s potato’ it is also referred to as the ‘butterless baker’ as its creamy texture and flavour mean that as a baked potato, it does not necessarily need butter to improve its flavour. As with most potatoes it can also be boiled, roasted, baked or mashed

Found that on Wikipedia. Didn't know there was a "weight watchers" potato!

Haha I know! I read that in Wiki, too!