Seriously?!

JenMarie8781

I hardly ever eat baked potatoes but I was planning on having one for dinner tonight and as I'm looking it up in the database I keep seeing info that says a PLAIN baked potato has anywhere from 220 - 260 calories. Really?! I didn't think potatoes (without condiments) were so high in calories. Some entries said only 93 calories but I thought that sounded a little low. lol. But really.... 260?! In a PLAIN baked potato?! Please say it's not true! lol

MandyMcAwesome

One medium-sized plain baked potato (about three inches in diameter) has about 150 calories. It really depends on the size. On the flip side, when you think about the calorie content, think about how much it will fill you up.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/potato.htm

MandyMcAwesome

Also, if you are making it at home, throw laughing cow cheese on there instead of butter and sour cream. Super tasty and way trimmer.

JenMarie8781

One medium-sized plain baked potato (about three inches in diameter) has about 150 calories. It really depends on the size. On the flip side, when you think about the calorie content, think about how much it will fill you up.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/potato.htm

But how are you supposed to REALLY know what "size" potato you have? Should I actually take some measuring tape and measure around it? lol

nevertoolate2

The only reliable to do it is by weight. I checked a couple of resuls on MFP and also tried another website I use. Both sets of results come out at about 0.75calories per gram

momma3sweetgirls

I weigh my russet potatoes. Making sure to leave enough wiggle room for light sour cream. I'm drooling now.

runfatmanrun

I weigh mine before I microwave it. For me I have found that most of the time a plain 4-5oz potato has about 100-125 calories.

caroleslaststand

I avoid the topic by sticking to my diet - no potatoes for diabetics - too much sugar. Oh, how I miss them taters and my SO gets to eat them, but he usually does it when I'm not home.

NikkisNewStart

Here is the most accurate reference you can find for any real food: The USDA National Nutrient Database.

http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/list

hiker282

When in doubt....Google! http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2770/2

amybrauch

I would say 260 would be for a pretty big potato.

horndave

One medium-sized plain baked potato (about three inches in diameter) has about 150 calories. It really depends on the size. On the flip side, when you think about the calorie content, think about how much it will fill you up.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/potato.htm

But how are you supposed to REALLY know what "size" potato you have? Should I actually take some measuring tape and measure around it? lol

yes, if you want to know your true calories. Measure it, tape it, weigh it. Whatever you got to do to get an accurate reading.

KetoBella

I know I was surprised as well. I looked up a Wendy's plain baked potato and it was 270 calories so it doesn't take a very large potato. You start adding butter, and sour cream, steak and a salad with dressing and you are close to 1000 or more calories. Yikes! That is why I have to track, honestly it is way to easy to under estimate the calories you eat each day.

Merrychrissmith

i get a Wendy's sour cream and chive baked potato. 320 calories and it makes almost a whole meal. Yummy with a small steak!

Miss_Chievous_wechange

Forget the butter and sour cream, top your potato with black beans, corn and salsa! Very, very delicious.

ElizabethRoad

I wouldn't actually call that "high in calories". A whole potato is a lot of food.

Temple_Fit

A 4.7oz baked sweet potato is only 122 calories and it is a good carb.

Heather2784

Yea, they're pretty high in calories. And offer like absolutely no nutritional value. I don't even eat them anymore. I now eat sweet potatoes, still high in calories, but so much better for you. I put a little Can't believe It's Not Butter spray butter with some cinnamon. Soooo good :happy:

UponThisRock

how long is a piece of string?

rml_16

Potatoes are pretty calorie dense, but they're filling. I'll put some light sour cream and cheddar on one and it's a whole meal for me.

UponThisRock

And offer like absolutely no nutritional value.

True, as long as you don't count Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Manganese, Fiber...hell, my fingers are getting tired, see here: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2551/2

PinkEarthMama

And offer like absolutely no nutritional value.

True, as long as you don't count Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Manganese, Fiber...hell, my fingers are getting tired, see here: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2551/2

Yep.

Potatoes are good for you. Not the BEST food, but not bad for you.

Nom.

BBQ Sauce, Red peppers, Bacon Bits, a sprinkle of cheese, and some shredded chicken.

Nom Nom.

UsedToBeHusky

And offer like absolutely no nutritional value.

True, as long as you don't count Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Manganese, Fiber...hell, my fingers are getting tired, see here: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2551/2

::applauds:: It drives me insane when someone says that any kind of food has no nutritional value... hello... that's what makes it food in the first place...

JenMarie8781

I weigh my russet potatoes. Making sure to leave enough wiggle room for light sour cream. I'm drooling now.

I don't have a food scale : (
I'm getting one tomorrow!

rml_16

And offer like absolutely no nutritional value.

True, as long as you don't count Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Copper, Manganese, Fiber...hell, my fingers are getting tired, see here: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2551/2

But ... *shudder* ... they're WHITE!

JenMarie8781

I avoid the topic by sticking to my diet - no potatoes for diabetics - too much sugar. Oh, how I miss them taters and my SO gets to eat them, but he usually does it when I'm not home.

Hm... I am diabetic and I have never been told NO potatoes. Just to not over-do it.

JenMarie8781

Here is the most accurate reference you can find for any real food: The USDA National Nutrient Database.

http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/list

Thank you!

WaterBunnie

I have a jacket potato with cheese and baked beans most Wednesday nights after Aqua Aerobics but always weigh it before I stick it in the oven. A large potato (450g raw weight) comes to 338 calories on here but with toppings it's a substantial meal.

Hollyjd1019

I have potatoes several times a week w my dinners including the skin. The ones I buy are about 110 cals and they are about the length of my palm (from bottoms of fingers to top of wrist) long. I would consider them medium sized. I weighed them several times so I would get the idea of which size looks like the grams listed on the nutritional info bc they're all not exactly the same size. It all depends on the type of potato and size.