Leah Lunch: Loaded Ranch Baked Potatoes

Potatoes are not a bad food, they just have a bad reputation. One small (5 ounce) baked potato is only 110 calories, naturally fat free, and contains 2g of fiber (mostly in the skin).  Here is a healthy alternative to traditional loaded potatoes.

This is to be eaten as a meal, not a side.

Benefits of this meal:
It contains almost 20g of protein, which is 1/3 of most people's recommended protein intake.
It is rich in calcium due to the yogurt, cheese, and broccoli.
It is rich in potassium.

Serves 4 people
Cook time varies depending on use of microwave vs oven.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Non fat plain yogurt (you will only use about 1 cup of this at the most, you just need 2 cups for 1 whole packet of ranch mix)
• 1 packet fat free dry ranch dressing mix
• 1 cup cooked broccoli, chopped
• 4 ounces Turkey pepperoni, chopped into small pieces 
• 1/2 cup reduced fat (2% milk) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 small- medium potatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook potatoes completely. Potatoes are cooked when knife can cut into potato easily.
• To cook in oven: Preheat to 350 degrees, cut a slit in potatoes, wrap potatoes in tinfoil, and bake about 60 minutes.
• To cook in microwave: Using a fork, puncture each potato 3-4 times. Place all potatoes in microwave for 8-10 minutes. Check at about 5 minutes to prevent over cooking.
2. Meanwhile, mix the ranch packet with the yogurt and set aside.
3. Once potatoes are cooked, cut a slit 3/4th of the way through the center of each potato. 
1. Put 1/2 ounce (2 Tablespoons or 1/8 cup) cheese in each potato. Close the potato partially for a minute to let cheese melt. You can also use the oven or microwave to melt the cheese.  
2. After cheese is melted, put 1/8-1/4 cup (2-4 tablespoons) of the ranch mixture in top of cheese.
3. Top with 1 ounce of pepperoni crumbles, and salt and pepper to taste. 

Nutrition Facts: 275 calories, 8g fat, 3g sat fat, Cholesterol 49.05mg, Sodium 695.12mg, Total Carbohydrate 32.14g, Dietary Fiber 2.6g, Sugars 5.89g, Protein 17.68g

Search for this recipe on livestrong.com "Leah Newmark, RD's Loaded ranch potato"

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/leah-newmark-rds-loaded-ranch-potatoes/#ixzz17jc9mJlN