Melissa Rifkin, MS, RDN, CDN

About author

Melissa is a registered dietitian living and working in NYC for over a decade. While she is a dietitian by profession, Melissa believes that being healthy does not just mean from a dietary perspective. Melissa practices with the belief that your body is a sanctuary and health encompasses eating nutritious foods, exercising, and balancing mental well-being. Melissa encourages small, attainable, and practical goals to help her clients achieve a balance in all 3 areas. She wants her clients to enjoy the process of change, and to like the foods and exercise they incorporate into their lives.

Melissa is also a fitness enthusiast and a certified spinning instructor, who has run two marathons and enjoys cooking and creating new recipes.

Articles by Melissa Rifkin, MS, RDN, CDN

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.

chicken nuggets with ketchup, concept of the worst frozen foods that can make you gain weight

10 Worst Frozen Foods That Are Making You Gain Weight

With so many frozen foods available today, not all are created equally.

superfoods

10 Healthy Superfoods You Should Eat Daily

Because superfoods pack a powerful nutritional punch, you'll want to eat these 10 daily.

bowl of flavored Greek yogurt, concept of the worst protein foods for weight loss

10 Worst Protein-Packed Foods for Weight Loss

Not all protein foods are created equally.

man eating late while working on laptop

Eating Habits That Are Destroying Your Body

Dietitians share the eating habits wrecking your body and what you can do to avoid these mistakes.

woman drinking water

Drink This, Not That!

What Happens If You Don’t Drink Enough Water

RDs break down the potential side effects that could arise if you're not drinking enough water.

close-up bowl of breakfast cereal, concept of worst weight loss foods

You’ll Never Lose Weight if You’re Still Eating These 11 Things

If you're trying to slim down, keep these items out of your kitchen and shopping cart.

hands cupping trail mix, concept of what to eat after workout for weight loss

8 Things To Eat After a Workout if You’re Trying To Lose Weight

The foods you consume post-exercise can majorly impact your progress.

Starbucks-Drinks

Drink This, Not That!

13 Best Low-Calorie Starbucks Drinks

An expert explains how to pick the healthiest low-calorie Starbucks drinks, and the ones you should try.

chipotle burrito bowls and tacos

8 Healthiest Chipotle Orders, According to Dietitians

If you're looking for a nutritious Mexican meal while on the move, Chipotle is where it's at.

scooping kiwi close-up

11 Best Fruits For Weight Loss

These fruits are low in calories, packed with fiber, and contain helpful nutrients that support fat loss.

25 Healthy, Low-Sugar Soda Alternatives

Drink This, Not That!

25 Healthy, Low-Sugar Soda Alternatives

Experts recommend getting your hands on these healthy sodas that are great alternatives to sugary colas.

man dealing with high blood pressure, measuring it at home

21 Best Foods To Lower Blood Pressure

To help lower your blood pressure, an RD recommends adding these foods to your diet.

healthy chicken bowls with vegetables, chickpeas, and quinoa

Best Clean Eating Challenges to Try in 2023

Curious about improving your approach to nutrition, but don't know where to start? Keep reading.

portioned plate with fish, grains, veggies, fruit, and a water glass

Foods To Avoid Stress-triggered Weight Gain

When your cortisol levels are on the rise, these nutritious foods can help keep your stress in check.

toast with avocado and tomatoes next to fried egg

9 Breakfast Superfoods for a Productive Day

Set yourself up for a super productive day by including these superfoods in your breakfast each morning.

different cheeses

Cheeses You Can Still Eat If You're Lactose Intolerant

As it turns out, you can say "yes, please!" to more cheese—even if you are lactose intolerant.

woman's hand holding green juice

Drink This, Not That!

Can Green Juice Really Make You Healthier?

A dietitian explains why it's not wise to depend on green juices to fulfill all your nutritional needs.

juicing carrot apple juice

Drink This, Not That!

Is Juicing Healthy? We Asked Dietitians

Typically billed as a way to detox and cleanse your body, juicing may not have the benefits you think it does.

fried okra

7 Vegetables That Are Making You Fat

Oil, salt, sugar, cheese, and breading on your favorite veggies may be increasing your calorie intake.

bowls of supplements

The Best Supplements To Slow Aging

While you can't outrun Father Time, these supplements may help you slow down signs of his existence.

Adding salt. Backlight to salt from salt shaker.

Why You Always Crave Salt & What To Do About It

Ever wonder why you seem to crave savory, salty foods? A dietitian explains why this may be the case.

woman holding chips

6 Foods Making Your Gut Issues Worse

To avoid exacerbating your gut issues, steer clear of these foods when experiencing digestive discomfort.

blueberry walnut oatmeal

7 Brain-Boosting Breakfast Foods

Sustain your focus and productivity throughout the day by starting it off with these breakfast foods.

person pouring egg into avocado brownie batter

Easy Recipe Swaps To Make Your Holiday Baking Healthier

With these dietitian-approved recipe swaps, you can enjoy your favorite holiday indulgences guilt-free!

man with hair loss looking at mirror

5 Bad Eating Habits That May Cause Hair Loss

While even the best diet can't always counter genetics, eating well can support overall hair health.

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