Kamil Perry
Loaded baked potatoes are a delicious, quick, and easy meal, but how many calories do they contain? The answer depends on the size of the potato and the toppings used. A plain medium-sized baked potato contains about 164 calories, while a large baked potato has 372 calories. Adding toppings like cheese, butter, sour cream, or bacon will significantly increase the calorie count. For example, a serving of melted cheese can add over 100 calories, and two strips of bacon will add about 100 calories. So, a loaded baked potato with cheese and other toppings could easily contain 400-500 calories or more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories in a medium-sized baked potato | 161<co:>-164</co: 6> calories |
| Calories in 1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese | 152 calories |
| Calories in 1/4 cup of bacon bits | 108 calories |
| Calories in 3 tablespoons of sour cream | 69 calories |
| Calories in a loaded baked potato with cheese | 300-500 calories |
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What You'll Learn
A medium-sized baked potato has 164 calories
A medium-sized baked russet potato, which is about 3 inches in diameter, has around 164 calories and about 4 grams of fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive tract. Toppings like broccoli provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while being low in calories. A 3/4 cup serving of broccoli has around 20 calories, 2 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber.
Cheese is a common topping for baked potatoes, but it increases the calorie count. An ounce of shredded or crumbled full-fat cheese can add 70 to 100 calories, depending on the type and amount used. For example, 1 ounce of full-fat cheddar has 114 calories. A serving of melted cheese can add 100 calories or more, depending on the type of cheese. A 28-ounce serving of cheddar cheese has 110 calories.
If you're looking for a lower-calorie option, consider using a lighter touch with your cheese. Parmesan cheese, for instance, has just 20 calories per tablespoon, according to the American Dairy Association North East. Alternatively, you can opt for other nutritious toppings that add substantial nutrition without significantly increasing the calorie count. Some examples include Greek yogurt, broccoli, and chives.
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Toppings like cheese, bacon, butter, and sour cream increase calories
A plain baked potato is a relatively low-calorie food, with a medium-sized potato containing around 164 calories. However, toppings like cheese, bacon, butter, and sour cream will significantly increase the calorie count.
Cheese is a common topping for baked potatoes, and it can add a substantial number of calories. For example, a serving of melted cheese can add 100 calories or more to your baked potato. An ounce of full-fat cheddar cheese contains around 110 calories, while a serving of cheese sauce, which is made with cheese, butter, milk, and flour, can add about 28 calories per tablespoon.
Bacon is another popular topping that can increase the calorie count of a baked potato. Two strips of bacon can add approximately 100 extra calories, along with 6 grams of protein and 9 grams of fat. Crumbled bacon is also an option, with one tablespoon containing around 30 calories and 2 grams of fat.
Butter is often added to baked potatoes for extra flavour and creaminess. While it does add calories, the exact amount depends on the type of butter and the quantity used.
Sour cream is another common topping that will increase the calorie count of your baked potato. A 1/4 cup of sour cream can add around 69 calories.
When combined, these toppings can significantly increase the calorie count of a baked potato. For example, a loaded baked potato with butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon bits can contain up to 450 calories. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the toppings and their quantities when creating a loaded baked potato to ensure it aligns with your dietary needs and goals.
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A serving of melted cheese adds 100+ calories
A loaded baked potato is a tasty treat, but the calories can add up quickly. A medium-sized plain baked potato has around 164 calories, but toppings like butter, sour cream, and bacon can significantly increase the calorie count.
Cheese is a popular topping for baked potatoes, and it's important to consider its contribution to the overall calorie count. A serving of melted cheese can add 100 calories or more to your baked potato. For example, a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of cheddar cheese contains about 110 calories. If you're watching your calorie intake, opting for a lower-calorie cheese like Parmesan, which has only 20 calories per tablespoon, can be a better choice.
The calorie count of a loaded baked potato can vary depending on the type and amount of cheese used. For instance, sprinkling a baked potato with an ounce of shredded or crumbled full-fat cheese can add 70 to 100 calories. On the other hand, a more generous serving of cheese sauce, a blend of cheddar cheese, butter, milk, and flour, can be lower in calories if used sparingly, with only about 28 calories per tablespoon.
It's worth noting that while cheese adds calories, it also provides some nutritional benefits. Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. However, it also contributes to the total fat and sodium content of the meal. Therefore, it's essential to consider the balance of nutrients and calories when choosing toppings for your loaded baked potato.
When it comes to creating a nutritious loaded baked potato, there are some topping choices that can enhance the nutritional profile without adding too many extra calories. For example, broccoli is a low-calorie option that provides vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Other nutritious toppings include Greek yogurt, chives, and steamed vegetables. By choosing a combination of tasty and nutritious toppings, you can create a balanced and satisfying meal while still being mindful of your calorie intake.
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A twice-baked potato with cheese and bacon is 370+ calories
A twice-baked potato with cheese and bacon is a delicious, indulgent treat, but it's important to be mindful of the calorie content. This hearty dish typically contains around 370 calories or more, depending on the specific ingredients and serving size.
The calorie count can vary depending on the type of potato used, the amount and type of cheese, and the portion size of bacon. A medium-sized baked potato on its own contributes about 161 calories to the dish. Adding toppings like cheese and bacon significantly increases the calorie count.
For example, a generous 1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese can add approximately 152 calories, while 1/4 cup of bacon bits can contribute an additional 108 calories. The combination of these toppings with the potato brings the total calorie count to around 421 calories.
If you include additional toppings or sides, the calorie count can increase even further. For instance, a fully loaded baked potato with cheese, bacon, butter, sour cream, and chives from Fuddruckers contains 592 calories. The inclusion of butter and sour cream adds extra calories and changes the macronutrient breakdown.
It's worth noting that the calorie content can be influenced by the brand or restaurant serving the dish. For example, a cheese and bacon baked potato from the Great Steak & Potato Company has 429 calories, while a similar option from Wendy's has 480 calories.
In summary, a twice-baked potato with cheese and bacon is a tasty option, but it's calorie-dense, with the total calorie count ranging from 370 to over 500 depending on the specific ingredients and portions. It's always a good idea to be mindful of serving sizes and make adjustments to suit your dietary needs and preferences.
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A loaded baked potato has 395-500 calories
A loaded baked potato is a delicious and relatively simple dish. However, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact number of calories it contains, as this depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the potato, the type of cheese, and the quantity of cheese used.
A medium-sized baked potato has around 161-164 calories. Adding a serving of melted cheese to a baked potato can increase the calorie count by 100 or more. For example, a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of cheddar cheese contains about 110 calories. If you were to use full-fat cheddar, this could increase to 114 calories per ounce. On the other hand, a more modest sprinkling of grated Parmesan adds just 20 calories per tablespoon.
The calorie count can also be influenced by other toppings or fillings. For instance, two strips of bacon will add about 100 calories, while butter and sour cream will also increase the calorie count. A tablespoon of sour cream contains around 69 calories, and a tablespoon of butter has about 102 calories.
Taking these factors into account, a loaded baked potato with cheese can range from 395 to 500 calories. For example, a Bob Evans Farms Inc. loaded baked potato, which includes cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and scallions, contains 395 calories. On the other hand, a loaded baked potato with similar toppings but in larger quantities could reach 450 to 500 calories.
While a loaded baked potato can be a tasty treat, it's important to be mindful of the calorie count, especially if you're watching your calorie intake.
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Frequently asked questions
A loaded baked potato with cheese can range from 300 to 500 calories, depending on the size of the potato and the amount and type of cheese used, as well as any additional toppings.
Here are some examples:
- A medium-sized baked potato with broccoli and cheese sauce: around 300 calories.
- A Bob Evans Farms Inc. loaded baked potato with cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and scallions: 395 calories.
- A Sizzler Loaded Baked Potato with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and onions: 450 calories.
A plain medium-sized baked potato has around 161-164 calories. A large baked potato has 372 calories, while a small baked potato has 214 calories.
Some healthier topping options include:
- Low-sodium salsa
- Low-fat yogurt
- Steamed vegetables
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Scallions
- Low-fat salad dressing
- Grated Parmesan cheese (20 calories per tablespoon)
- Cottage cheese (80 calories per half-cup)
