10 Ideas to Turn Baked Potatoes Into a Meal

Plain Baked Potato

Before adding any toppings, baked potato calories are relatively at 164.
The nutrition of a medium-sized baked russet potato (about 3 inches in diameter) contains about 164 calories and about 4 grams of fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive tract.

They're also a great source of potassium, magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, folate, phosphorus, and niacin.

Baked Potato With Butter

One full tablespoon of regular butter has about 100 calories, so that brings a medium-size baked potato up to 264 calories. One pat of butter only adds about 35 calories, which would make your baked potato just under 200 calories. If you're following a diet that encourages healthy, high-fat foods, grass-fed butter and ghee are great options.

Baked Potato With Salsa

A simple way to add nutrients and flavor to a baked potato is a generous serving of your favorite salsa. A half-cup of salsa has nearly 48 calories, bringing a medium baked potato to about 210 calories.

Salsa typically contains healthful ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, onion, and peppers. This provides vitamins A, B, and C, potassium, and lycopene.

Baked Potato With Sour Cream

Two tablespoons of sour cream adds about 60 calories and chives are nearly zero, making the total calorie count for this baked potato around 224 calories.

A 2-tablespoon serving of sour cream has 5 grams of fat and just under 1 gram each of protein, fiber, and sugar. It also contains about 2% of your recommended daily value of calcium.

Twice-Baked Potato

The twice-baked potato calorie count varies depending on how you prepare them. For instance, a twice-baked potato made with a splash of milk and a tablespoon of sour cream should have around 230 calories, but adding cheese or bacon can bring the calorie count up to 370 or more.

Baked Potato With Chili

A generous portion of chili can turn a baked potato into a full meal. You'd also get extra protein from meat or a plant-based substitute, fiber from beans, and antioxidants such as lycopene from the tomatoes. One medium baked potato with a quarter-cup of chili should have around 250 calories.

A 1/4-cup serving of chili contains about 90 calories, 5 grams of protein, 6 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbohydrates, and 280 milligrams of sodium. It also contains 15% of your recommended daily value of saturated fats.

Baked Potato With Broccoli and Cheese

Broccoli is low in calories and provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A serving of melted cheese can add 100 calories or more to your baked potato along with calcium and protein. A medium-sized baked potato with broccoli and cheese sauce will have around 300 calories.

Baked Potato With Baked Beans

Baked beans add protein and extra flavor to a baked potato, with the benefit of additional dietary fiber from the beans. A half-cup of beans adds just over 170 calories, making your baked potato around 330 calories. Add a side salad or a green vegetable, and you have a nutritious, balanced meal.

Hawaiian Pizza Baked Potato

This tropical twist adds low-fat cottage cheese, a few slivers of ham, and some pineapple chunks. A quarter-cup of chopped ham adds about 50 calories, a half-cup of cottage cheese adds almost 80, and a half-cup of pineapple adds another 40, totaling around 330 calories.

You'll also add 14 milligrams of calcium, 34 milligrams of vitamin C, and 19 grams of protein for a total of 23.5 grams in the meal.

Baked Potato With Tuna and Mayo

Another way to turn a baked potato into a meal is to top it with canned tuna for protein and omega-3s. Add a dollop of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to your baked potato with tuna for creaminess and flavor. This meal with mayo will contain about 350 calories.

Try making your own mayo from scratch, or substitute yogurt for mayo altogether, putting you at about 300 calories.

Choose tuna packed in water rather than oil if you're monitoring your fat intake. Otherwise, olive oil is an excellent source of healthy fat.