UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad gets his eating orders

UCLA couldn’t get its last high-profile basketball player to eat less.

The Bruins are trying to get their latest freshman star to eat more.

Forward Shabazz Muhammad sat out practice Tuesday and said he was still feeling the effects of the flu that slowed him last week. Muhammad practiced Friday and Saturday but said, “It has really been hard. I just have to make sure I’m eating right and staying healthy.”

Muhammad had a chest X-ray on Monday and was to undergo blood tests Tuesday, “just to make sure there is nothing beyond the normal.”

The big concern, Howland said, was nutrition.

“He was down to 214, 215 pounds yesterday,” Howland said.

Muhammad’s usual playing weight is 225.

“The trainer told him last night to make sure he went out and make sure you eat a good meal,” Howland said. “He went out and had sushi. I don’t know if sushi is filling enough for him. He said he ate a lot of it.

“We’re now being very specific to what he has to eat to make sure he is getting enough nutrition.”

And on Tuesday?

“He ate at Taco Bell,” Howland said. “I know that.”

Howland never had these problems with Joshua Smith.

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