Joshua T. Bell

Are you looking to lose weight? Are you looking to gain weight? Do you just want to be eating healthier? SDSU’s new dietitian may be able to help you as she helped me.

Although many of my friends continue to tell me how I don’t need to lose weight, I still feel inadequately shaped for the world of today. I weigh 174 and stand about 5 feet and 11 inches. I have been low on energy and figured it might be due to lack of nutrition. I heard of the new dietitian and promptly made an appointment.

I arrived early for the appointment. The attendants at the Student Health Clinic and Counseling Services signed me in. Jessica Remington, the resident dietitian, came and took me into the backroom.

The procedure was simple. At first, she weighed me. I weighed 174, which I thought was a bit heavy, but I wasn’t going to say anything. She wrote it down on her sheet, and then walked me back to her room.

She sat me down, and together we went through a variety of questions. She wanted to know what a usual day of eating was like. I told her everything from the foot-long subway sandwich to the small wrap I had in Java City. I explained that I drank a few Dr. Peppers, but I generally drink Iced Tea (no sugar). I also had a few subway cookies. She looked at me and realized I hadn’t eaten anything since 4:00 that afternoon, and I nodded in agreement.

She pulled out a small sheet of paper and calculated a few numbers. She then explained that if I never left my bed, I would need 1,900 calories per day to keep up with basic organ functions. Since I wanted to start working out, she told me to start about three times a week and that I need 3,000 calories.

She told me that I should eat breakfast, as it is a good way to begin the day with the extra boost of energy. I should also make sure I have the three recommended meals a day. It will stabilize my body to know that food is coming and will burn calories at a constant rate rather than sporadically.

We talked about different kinds of fast food I could eat. She told me to eat baked foods, salads or grilled. “You don’t have to eat a combo meal,” she said. We also went into alcohol and different kinds of things to do. She explained how each beer has about 150 calories, and that one is not bad, but when you have six or seven or more, it tends to add up.

She factored my Body Mass Index (BMI), and it was 24.3. My ideal body weight was 172, so I was close. I am healthy, even though I do not eat the healthiest.

Jessica Remington provides this free service at Student Health. Her hours are Tuesdays from 12 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m.