(www.BlackDoctor.org) -- President-elect Barack Obama has vowed to guide America through the economic crisis and find a way out of the war in Iraq, and he has all intentions of staying fit and fly while accomplishing these colossal goals. “I’ve sworn that we’re taking out the bowling alley in the White House and we’re putting in a basketball court,” said Obama. Obama, 47, has made no secret of his love of basketball; after all, he was caught shooting hoops on Election Day!

Dashing up and down the court isn’t the only way the 44th president of the United States of America stays in shape; he also eats well, even when he and his wife, Michelle, 44, dine at Topolobampo, their favorite Mexican restaurant back home in Chicago.

“There isn’t melted cheese and sour cream over everything,” says Chef Rick Bayless, who’s a contender to become the Obamas’ chef at the White House. “We begin with fresh nonprocessed ingredients, and the dish is naturally better and completely satisfying. What’s great about the Obamas is that they try everything.” One of their faves? The fresh sweet corn.

Even Obama’s preferred snack is healthy. “Nuts, trail mix, and granola bars” are among his favorites, says a political insider.

Although Obama is adamant about leading a healthy lifestyle, he is not immune to the occasional slip-up.  Obama has been known to sporadically indulge in cheese steaks, fried chicken, and pizza. Luckily, he burns lots of calories because he’s so active.

“He works out every morning,” says the political insider, "Even on the campaign trail, when he wasn’t playing basketball, he was hitting cardio machines at the hotel gym.” Usually, he gets in 45 minutes of exercise a day, six days a week. “I’ll lift one day and do cardio the next,” Obama has said. And he wakes up super early to hit the gym. "There’s always,” he adds, “a trade-off between sleep and working out!”

What Barack Obama Might Eat In The White House

Breakfast

“As a rule, I’d keep breakfast low in fat, high in protein and low in carbs,” Denver-based chef Daniel Young, who’s also in the running to become the White House chef told Life & Style. An omelet’s a good choice.

Snack

Guilty! Obama has been known to treat himself to a refreshing Italian Ice. Young, though, would offer him organic fruit bars, sliced cheese, tuna salad with crackers, or homemade potato chips.

Lunch

Obama likes Mexican food, “so homemade chili is an option,” says Young. “Or turkey burgers, made with fresh breast meat, and grilled vegetables.”

Dinner

Obama had gumbo while campaigning in New Orleans in February. Young’s alternatives? “Grilled chicken breast stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, garlic and pecorino Romano cheese, or ribeye steak from a grass-fed cow.”

BDO (www.BlackDoctor.org ) is the World’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans.