Baked potato with healthy toppings
Potatoes are, in my opinion, the perfect source for healthy carbs
One of the easiest and healthiest quick meals or light bites is a jacket potato. This is great for all ages, affordable and if you take care with your toppings, it’s seriously healthy too.
Potatoes have certainly had a bad press of late thanks to the low-carb craze. Well as much as I agree with cutting down on carbohydrates at some points in the day, I do not agree with cutting them out all together. Carbohydrates are essential to our growth and well-being, especially when feeding a family.
Potatoes are, in my opinion the perfect source for healthy carbs as they are rich in vitamin C (good for keeping your immune system healthy), potassium (good for healthy blood pressure) and offer good fibre, especially when eaten with the skin on. And eating good fibre positively promotes weight loss. All of that and not too expensive – why wouldn’t you fill up on a delicious, nutritious baked spud?
Method
To prepare your baked potato, pre-heat the oven to 200 C.
Wash your potato and prick 2 or 3 times with a fork.
Place in the oven and back for 50-60 minutes depending on the size. You can tell when the baked potato is cooked as the skin will be lovely and crisp but the inside soft when you squeeze it.
If you are in a hurry, you could start the cooking off in the microwave following the manufacturers instructions and then finish off to crispy up in the oven for 10 minutes.
Don’t be tempted to lather high globs of butter or cream on your baked potato, as this is obviously NOT a healthy way to eat.
Below are some delicious examples of my favourite toppings, feel free to swap and change and be as imaginative as you like. Keep everything low fat and always serve with veggies or salad to make a balanced meal. Enjoy!
Curry-Spiced Topping1 tablespoon fat free plain yogurt mixed with 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, and ½ teaspoon mild curry powder
Tomato Pesto Topping1 tablespoon shop bought green pesto mixed with 1 chopped plum tomato.
Creamy Horseradish Topping1 tablespoon reduced-fat sour cream mixed with ½ teaspoon prepared horseradish.
Creamy Chive Topping1 tablespoon low-fat cottage cheese and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
Tex-Mex Topping1 tablespoon refried beans, 1 tablespoon prepared tomato salsa and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
Coleslaw ToppingMix together 6 tablespoons fat free crème fraîche, ½ tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons low fat mayonnaise, ½ white cabbage (shredded), 2 carrots and ½ an onion.
Fruity Booty ToppingMix together fresh pineapple chunks, a diced apple with 1 tablespoons of raisins and 2 tablespoon fat free crème fraiche
Butterbeans and Tuna ToppingMix together drained tuna fish in spring water, a small can of butterbeans, drained with the juice of 1 lemon and 2 tablespoons low fat mayonnaise.
Remember ~ just have 1 portion. YOUR portion size is the size of your hand with fingers together. Anything outside this size needs to be salad, vegetables or fruit only.