Melissa Rifkin, MS, RDN, CDN

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About author

Melissa is a Connecticut-based registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience, including clinical and outpatient settings, and runs the popular nutrition education Instagram account, Confessionofadietitian. While Melissa is a dietitian by profession, she believes that being healthy does not just mean from a dietary perspective. Melissa practices with the belief that your body is a sanctuary, and mental and physical health encompasses eating nutritious foods, exercising, and practicing self-care habits. Through educating her audience on nutrition science, introducing them to new products, and sharing recipes, Melissa hopes to show healthy eating doesn't have to be time consuming and can be made to work for the whole family. Melissa is mom to two boys, Max and Leo, and also uses her platform to share practical tips for managing motherhood and feeding kiddos.

Articles by Melissa Rifkin, MS, RDN, CDN

eating acai bowl, concept of how to detox body

10 Healthy Ways to Naturally Detox Your Body

Give your body a detox by implementing these healthy habits into your life.

healthy plate

14 Healthiest Restaurant Chain Meals for Weight Loss

From Texas Roadhouse to Chili's, dietitians say these are the best dishes to order if you're trying to lose weight.

overnight oats, concept of healthy tasty weight loss meals under 500 calories

9 Tastiest Weight Loss Meals That Are 500 Calories or Less

These healthy and convenient weight loss recipes are full of flavor.

High-protein foods

14 Best Foods For Your Skin

Certain nutrients, like vitamins and antioxidants, support skin health, and these healthy foods are some of the best sources.

chicken burrito

9 'Healthiest' Fast-Food Burritos To Order Right Now

Save calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium with these better-for-you burrito picks from registered dietitians.

woman weight loss concept, how to lose 50 pounds or more

How to Lose 50 Pounds or More

Incorporating these expert-approved habits into your routine will speed up your weight loss efforts.

low-fat diet for weight loss, healthy fats concept

The #1 Best Low-Fat Diet for Weight Loss

If you've been researching the best low-fat diets for weight loss, this is the best one.

greens powder next to a glass

Are Greens Powders Worth The Hype?

These trendy supplements may be all over social media, but dietitians take a closer look at their purported benefits to see if they're worth buying.

Trader Joe's

10 Best Trader Joe's Frozen Foods for Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight, add these frozen foods to your cart on your next trip to Trader Joe's.

avoid carbs concept

13 Unhealthiest Carbs To Stay Away From

All carbohydrates can be part of a healthy and balanced diet, but some are better than others.

I'm a Dietitian—Here's What I Order at a Chinese Restaurant

Here's What a Dietitian Orders at a Chinese Restaurant

There are numerous ways to pack calories, fat, and sodium into Chinese food, but this is how a dietitian says you can turn your order into a health-conscious meal.

Dairy Queen

The Best & Worst Foods at Dairy Queen, Say RDs

Exactly what to order and avoid at DQ when you want to keep your health in mind.

ketchup bottles

11 Foods That Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup

Dietitians say high fructose corn syrup is lurking in some of the foods you'd least expect.

healthy low calorie frozen desserts

15 Low-Calorie Frozen Desserts for Weight Loss

Satisfy your sugar craving with these healthy desserts that registered dietitians approve of.

front of Taco Bell

How To Lose Weight—and Still Eat at Taco Bell!

You can still drop weight without giving up your fast food indulgence—here's how.

tuna lettuce cups, concept of protein-packed 100-calorie snacks for weight loss

10 Best Protein-Packed 100-Calorie Snacks for Weight Loss

You can easily whip up and enjoy these tasty snacks.

bowl of oatmeals with berries and fruit, concept of superfoods to boost energy and maximize workouts

10 Best Superfoods To Boost Your Energy & Maximize Your Workouts

If you're looking to get the most out of your workouts, look no further than these superfoods.

best and worst healthy starbucks drinks

15 Best & Worst Drinks to Order at Starbucks

We split the menu into the best healthy Starbucks drinks and the ones pose the largest threat to your health.

The #1 Unhealthiest Order at 9 Major Fast-Food Mexican Chains

The #1 Unhealthiest Order at 9 Fast-Food Mexican Chains

Plus: What registered dietitians recommend you order instead.

woman eating yogurt parfait, concept of eating habits to slim down your waist in 30 days

10 Eating Habits To Slim Down a Thick Waistline in 30 Days

Weight loss can be tricky, but these eating habits can certainly help.

cheeseburger and fries concept from McDonald's, how to lose weight while eating McDonald's

How to Lose Weight While Eating At McDonald’s

You can still shed weight without giving up one of your favorite indulgences!

bowl of hummus with veggies on board, concept of the best 100-calorie snacks for weight loss

10 Best 100-Calorie Snacks for Weight Loss

If you're trying to lose weight, these tasty low-calorie snacks are the way to go.

bowl of dried fruit with mixed nuts

You’ll Never Lose Your Belly Fat if You’re Still Eating These 10 Things

Looking to thin down your waistline? Cut these items from your diet ASAP.

McDonald's store

15 McDonald’s Burgers & Sandwiches—Ranked by Dietitians

The worst options are significantly unhealthier than the best. (And, yes, there are some ‘best’ options!)

unhealthiest burger king menu items

10 Worst Burger King Orders

If you're heading to the drive-thru, you may want to avoid these unhealthy BK orders.

canned foods

The Unhealthiest Canned Foods on the Planet

Registered dietitians warn of the worrisome ingredients and nutrient profiles in these popular items.

close-up woman's hand grabbing popcorn, concept of inflammatory foods that cause belly fat

8 Inflammatory Foods That Are Giving You Belly Fat

Knowing what to eliminate from your diet is key in keeping your midsection trim.

ingredients bad

12 Ingredients Worse Than High Fructose Corn Syrup

Registered dietitians recommend avoiding these unhealthy ingredients if you see them on a nutrition label.

fitness woman eating a granola bar

10 Foods That Are Destroying Your Abs

If you want to see your abs this summer, think twice about these foods in your diet.

mcdonalds food

10 Worst McDonald's Orders, According to RDs

A meal from McDonald's may not bust your budget, but it'll certainly bust your diet.

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