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Low Fat Ways to Season Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes provide large amounts of fiber, potassium, phosphorus, iron, niacin and vitamins B-6 and C, especially if you eat the skin, because many of the nutrients are concentrated there. However, many people take these nutritious spuds and load them up with fatty and calorie-rich toppings such as sour cream, butter, bacon and cheese, making them a less nutritious option. Instead, top your potato with flavorful but low-fat alternatives.

  1. Low-fat Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese with Herbs or Spices

    • For a creamy topping to replace sour cream, use low-fat Greek yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese. A 1/2-cup serving of 1-percent cottage cheese contains approximately 80 calories and 1 gram of fat. Opt for 2 tablespoons of fat-free Greek yogurt instead and you'll add only 25 calories and 0.2 gram of fat. Mix these creamy toppings with herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, paprika, dill, curry powder, chili powder, cilantro or green onion, to give your potato a flavor boost without adding any more fat.

    Salsa

    • If you'd like to add a bit more spice to your baked potato, top it off with your favorite salsa. This will give your potato a lot of flavor and a 1/4-cup serving only contains 19 calories and 0.1 gram of fat. Another option is to combine the salsa with a bit of Greek yogurt or a tablespoon of low-fat cheese -- you'll still have a side dish that is low in fat and high in nutrients.

    Vegetables & Low-fat Cheese

    • Top your potato with broccoli or a mix of your favorite vegetables, since vegetables are for the most part fat-free. Onions and garlic are particularly flavorful additions when mixed with other vegetables you have on hand, but you probably wouldn't want to use these on their own unless you really love them. Since vegetables contribute almost no fat to your baked potato, you could add an ounce of shredded low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese for an additional 45 calories and 2 grams of fat while still keeping your potato low in fat.

    Hummus

    • A less traditional potato topping such as hummus is also a delicious and nutritious option. Hummus contains about 25 calories and 1.4 grams of fat per tablespoon. Keep in mind that you'd probably want more than a tablespoon on your potato and that hummus isn't a particularly low-fat topping. However, most of the fat it provides is the heart-healthy unsaturated type.

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