Meet Katie Valdes, MS RD CSSD, a registered dietitian who offers a range of services to Occidental students.
Learn more about how you can work with her at her webpage!
What's your favorite part of your job?
I love being a part of a person's story and helping them achieve their goals. I have gotten to work with 10 of the athletes representing five different countries who are competing in the Paris Olympics this year. Getting to be a part of their nutrition journey from the time they were in college until now, as they compete on the world stage, is a feeling like no other. It is like watching your own child compete.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about eating healthy?
There are MANY approaches to eating healthy and people need to figure out what works best for them, their body and their lifestyle. Just because it works for your friend or neighbor or spouse does not mean it is the right fit for you.
What's your approach to working with students?
I like working with students and providing them with knowledge and the why behind things, rather than just saying 'you need to do this because it will help you perform better.' For example, when working with someone who wants to gain muscle, many think that they just have to eat protein, protein, protein. But in fact, you have to make sure you are eating enough carbohydrates as well because you can't build muscle without carbohydrates and enough total calories.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
I love to run. I still train and race to this day. Running is where I solve all of life's problems and have made some of my best friends. I am currently training for the Santa Rosa marathon on August 25th. I also love to bake. Often when people find out that I am a dietitian who likes to bake, they think it is weird because many people deem baked goods as unhealthy. But I love baking and giving my creations away as gifts. Currently, I am making plum jam using plums from the tree in my backyard that is bursting with fruit.