Russet potatoes?

peaceloveabby
peaceloveabby Posts: 40
edited January 20 in Food and Nutrition
I've always heard of people fearing potatoes like the devil when they're on a diet. But then again, when I do some research, I come up with a lot of things saying its a good low calorie food. And on the database the entries are so confusing.
I understand that taking a potato and slapping it with cheese and butter and sour cream is pretty undiet friendly, and I know that that's how a lot of people think of one.

What about simply roasted, russet potatoes? Is that something that's considered diet/low calorie? Also, portion sizes are NOT my speciality, what's the serving of roasted russet potatoes that have been chopped into approximately one inch cubes? Like how many chunks would be a serving and how many calories would that be?

I appreciate any of your thoughts on this weirdo topic :)

Replies

  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    I'd suggest investing in a digital kitchen scale. It will make figuring up your portion size of choice easier. Just put in russet potatoes, roasted in the data base and it gives a calorie count per ounce. Just weigh the number of ounces you're going to eat.
  • Mock_Turtle
    Mock_Turtle Posts: 354 Member
    most potato sacks will label along the lines of 1 medium potato being ~ 150 grams and ~ 90 - 100 calories.

    However some types/suppliers will give you monster size potats. The Russet bags I buy usually have potats that are around 300 grams so it's like 2 servings.

    I don' think there's anything wrong with them, it's about fitting your caloric needs for the day. Personally, I stay fuller longer off 2 medium potatoes (180 cals) than 1/4 cup dry rice (160 cals). YMMV
  • storm15918
    storm15918 Posts: 88 Member
    I'm curious about this too. Potatoes are a fairly common part of my diet, and it makes me nervous when people treat them like they're as bad as soda or candy. The nutritional information for the potatoes I use agree with the low calorie idea. I think it's around 110 calories for one potato, which isn't too bad since they're so dense and filling. With some light butter and carrots on the side I can have a good lunch for a little over 300 calories. They're also my main source of potassium. I think the issue people have is with the carbs. Though I've heard that they're a complex carb which is better? I'd love to see what others have to say on the subject!
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,370 Member
    lol, not a weird question. A lot people would probably say there bad for you but that's just nonsense, unless we're talking about someones susceptibility towards nightshade vegetables. Potatoes have decent amount of vitamins and minerals and phytochemicals. 1 potato is generally around 150 calories and the potato gets bonus points for being the most satiating food on the planet. I prefer sweet potatoes but I do eat white potatoes......it is a comfort food. :smile:
  • peaceloveabby
    peaceloveabby Posts: 40
    Food scale just isn't possible right now. Hopefully soon.

    I love my potatoes. But I buy then frozen (I know. Bad) so I can't say I'm eating x # of potatoes so it's X calories. They come as cut cubes that are about one inch cubes. Any thoughts into those calories? It's a giant bag not one of those single serve things. I was trying to figure out how many calories would be in one cube so I could just multiply, just an estimate clearly, but something close. Ideas? Estimates?
  • squeakyfish
    squeakyfish Posts: 109 Member
    The nutritional info on the bag will say how many servings are in the bag. Open it up and divide it up equally into that many servings and then you will know exactly how many calories per serving.

    love potatoes - I usually roast them with a little olive oil, and ground spices. BTW - you can buy a scale really cheaply. I don't have a digital it's the old fashioned kind - mine only cost $8.
  • peaceloveabby
    peaceloveabby Posts: 40
    If I chopped it myself, how many cubes would I get ?
  • stacey_mntx
    stacey_mntx Posts: 36 Member

    I don' think there's anything wrong with them, it's about fitting your caloric needs for the day. Personally, I stay fuller longer off 2 medium potatoes (180 cals) than 1/4 cup dry rice (160 cals). YMMV

    I agree... It's all about balance. Unless you have a medical condition that requires you to limit carbs, potatoes are a great addition to any diet plan as long as (like the OP said) you don't load 'em up with a ton of fat.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    They are awesome, packed with nutrients. Eat them guilt-free. If you are trying to lose weight, choose a small-sized one, or cut it in half and put half in the fridge for breakfast the next morning.
  • barebon
    barebon Posts: 80 Member
    I cut one full russet potato and bake it like fries. No salt and minimal olive oil with all kinds of seasoning. Yummm so good and great source of potassium. You don't probably want to base your diet off of it every single day but occasionally it is good. I like to stick to sweet potatoes its easier to eat without anything added to it.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Definitely find a way to afford $10 for a kitchen scale. Without one you're just guessing, and calories estimates are generally way off. This study found that dieticians underestimated their food by more than 200 calories, and non-dieticians underestimated by over 400 calories.


    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12396160
  • peaceloveabby
    peaceloveabby Posts: 40
    I want a good food scale for sure. Just want to wait till I can afford the right one.

    I just wanted to know how many calories approx that one cube would have or how many you can get from one potato
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