The Orleans Room may not be your ideal place to get a three-course meal, but it’s certainly the easiest option for anyone with a meal plan on campus. And while walking past the stations of pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, just about every fried food you can think of and coolers of ice cream, you probably aren’t going to the OR for the healthiest meal either. But what about us health nuts, fitness fanatics and weekend warriors? What can we do to make sure we don’t negate the time we’ve spent working out with a plate of the OR’s fried special? Senior William Duhe, a certified trainer on campus, gave a few of the tips he uses to not let the OR get the best of him.

First, he said to make sure you get some color on your plate. You should be eating fruit and vegetables with every meal, and this should make up over 50 percent of your food intake for the day. Also, watch what you’re drinking; water is really the best thing for your body. Soda will just dehydrate you, and Minute Maid is made from concentrate and has artificial sweeteners. “The Minute Maid is almost as bad as the soda,” Duhe said. “It’s not the same as real orange juice and will cause you to gain water-weight.”

Also, try to stay away from white bread, pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers, and if you are getting a bun to go with your meal, try to make it wheat. As for the pasta line, generally speaking, marinara sauce is healthier than alfredo, and wheat pasta would be the best substitute if it is offered.

A big salad should also be one of your courses for the day and when catfish Friday comes, throwing that on a big salad can be a good way to spice it up and give it a little extra flavor.

As for desserts, if you are really trying to watch your weight, stay away from them, there really isn’t much good you can get from the chocolate chip cookies and fudge-covered brownies.

And if all else fails, Duhe said he goes to the gluten-free section and spices it up himself. “The food there is pretty good and is usually one of the healthier options.”

Until next time, stay working, and remember that the more it hurts tomorrow, the better you got today.

Sam Thomas can be reached at [email protected]