Sodexo, infamous for being the No. 1 cause of the Freshman 15 at Binghamton University, isn’t the best at keeping students eating healthy. But with some creativity and nutritional knowledge, you can navigate your way through the Sodexo universe and emerge a stronger and healthier you.

But you can’t do it alone. Here are some tips to get you started on your nutritional journey.

• Get it to go. Use a takeout container and you won’t feel obligated to finish your food in one sitting. You’ll be glad later when you’re reaching for your leftovers instead of your candy stash.
• Use the buddy system. Are you dying for a slice of chocolate cake? Satisfy your craving without going overboard by splitting it with a friend. Pay for it and you’ll get major brownie points. Especially if you’re splitting a brownie.
• Put it in a sandwich. Ask the folks at the grill to make you a portobello mushroom (tell them to leave off the bun). Then bring it to the deli, and put it on panini bread. Add pesto, fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers; grill and enjoy. Let’s be real here — if it’s tangible, it can be made into a sandwich. Experiment with chicken fingers, vegetables and whatever else is being offered at the Entrees counter.
• Put it on a salad. Hit up the salad bar! There’s some great stuff in there. Sprinkle on some cranberries and pecans for instant deliciousness. Just beware of fattening toppings, and stick with a basic balsamic or red wine vinaigrette, or skip the dressing altogether. If you’re looking for more protein, add chicken from the grill section. Salmon is another healthy and delicious option. Use a plastic takeout container at the salad bar — add dressing, seal and shake. Your salad will be instantly dressed!
• Go whole wheat. Substitute white rice with quinoa or brown rice, and get creative with the spice station. Whether it’s a burger, sandwich or wrap, always ask for whole wheat. If whole wheat just isn’t your thing, leave your sandwich open-faced to get rid of some extra carbs.
• Yogurt is loaded with good stuff, and when you buy it packaged you get portability and portion control. Flavored yogurts from the salad bar station are pretty sugary, so limit your intake by drizzling it over fruit.
• But limit the processed and packaged. Chobani, sushi and Honest Tea are great options … once in a while. If it has a label, keep it down to a few each day, because constantly buying $7 sushi is a fast way to run up your meal plan dollars. Don’t be that person who is starving by Dec. 1.
• Parfait (the fun way). On weekends, dining halls offer pancakes with toppings. This provides you with an opportunity to put whipped cream on anything and everything. Layer the following in a cup: raspberries, whipped cream, blackberries, whipped cream, blueberries, whipped cream. Repeat. (It’s still healthy because there’s fruit.)
• Break the hamburger habit. Hamburgers are tasty, but not great for you. They sit under heat lamps and often involve slices of salty melted cheese. For a change of pace, order a turkey burger on a whole-wheat bun — they’ll make one fresh for you. It’s a leaner option, and tastes even better when you load up on veggies from the salad bar.
• Don’t fear the word “vegan.” Many dining halls offer a few vegan dessert options. The fruit bars (raspberry or blueberry) and cookies (oatmeal or chocolate chip) are not too sweet and surprisingly good overall, despite the reputation that vegan baked goods have for being dry. On that note, stay away from the vegan brownies. They actually are dry.