No Snacks, but He’ll Take a Good Salad Any Time

Malcolm-Jamal Warner was 13 when he signed up to play Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” Warner, now 26 and starring on UPN’s comedy “Malcolm & Eddie,” has observed changes in his 193-pound, 6-foot-tall frame.

Question: What sort?

Answer: When I was 24 or 25, I really started noticing my body reacting differently. . . . Like after having maybe two drinks, I’d wake up feeling like I’d been drinking all night. My body cannot handle liquor like it used to, which is really a distressing “wow.”

Q: That’s no fun.

A: Yeah, that’s terrible.

Q: So does this mean you’re on some kind of diet?

A: No, I’m not on a diet, but I watch what I eat. I don’t eat pork, and I stopped eating red meat when I was about 16. It took me two years before I was finally able to give up pepperoni pizza. Also, I don’t eat a lot of fried foods.

Q: What’s left to eat?

A: I eat a lot of fruit--melon for breakfast every day. And then chicken and fish and turkey. I tend to do a lot of salads; even if I’m not really all that hungry, I can get a salad and be fine. I drink a lot of water and I try to eat five or six small meals a day. That way I’m less likely to start snacking on junk.

Q: No snacks? No chips, pretzels?

A: No, I’m not a salt person at all. I don’t even like to put salt on my food. I keep some seasoned salt in my cabinet in case I’m cooking for a lot of people.

Q: You cook?

A: I try.

Q: What are you famous for?

A: My best? Baked chicken. Also, I like spicy foods so, you know, if I’m cooking for a lot of people, I have to be careful with the spices. A lot of people can’t really take it.

Q: Have you been able to stick with an exercise program?

A: I’ve been pretty good about it. It’s just that with my schedule, it gets so crazy. But if I’m being really good, I work out before I go to work. Depending on my call time, sometimes I have to be up at 4:30 or 5 o’clock to be at the gym by 6 or 6:30 a.m.

Q: What do you accomplish at the gym?

A: Well, I have a trainer that I work with, and I do a lot of cardio and I do a lot of free-weight work. Also, I have a setup at home so I can’t have any excuses.

Q: What sort of setup?

A: I’ve got a treadmill. I’ve got a Health Rider. I’ve got free weights and a dip bar.

Q: So you went and pierced your tongue with a small diamond.

A: Well, you know, women are, like, extra curious. It’s funny because . . . you know how this business is: Women coming out of the woodwork--and only because it’s this business. But I find it especially true now.

* Guest Workout runs Wednesdays in Life & Style.