Melissa Rifkin MS, RDN, CDN

Title: Registered dietitian and Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board Member

Location: Ridgefield, CT

Education: Steinhardt, New York University, Masters Degree in Clinical Nutrition New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Dietetic Internship Program University of Connecticut, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutritional Science

Expertise: Weight Management

Website Links:

https://melissarifkinnutrition.com/

Experience:

Melissa is a Connecticut-based registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience, including clinical and outpatient settings, and has run the popular nutrition education Instagram account, Confessionofadietitian, for the last 9 years. With over a decade of experience in the areas of oncology, surgery, maternity and weight management, Melissa has been able to integrate practical application with nutritional science to educate her social media audience. 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

four photos of high-fiber foods on a yellow background

15 High-Fiber Swaps for Faster Weight Loss

RDs explain how you can make easy fiber swaps to help meet your health goals.

collage of croissant bacon ice cream and onion rings depicting unhealthy fatty foods

The 10 Unhealthiest Fatty Foods

Not all fats are bad, but some fat-laden foods are worse for your health than others.

hardee's sign and menu items on a yellow background

The Best & Worst Menu Items at Hardee's

Check out our menu guide so you know what to order when you head to Hardee's.

McDonald's breakfast menu collage

McDonald's Breakfast Menu—Ranked by Nutrition

Make sure the order you're lovin' is the one that's best for your health.

photos of pizza from Little Caesar's on a red background

The Best & Worst Menu Items at Little Caesars

RDs explain which pizzas to eat, and which ones to avoid next time you're at Little Caesar's.

shrimp stir fry with vegetables on a plate

8 Easy 5-Ingredient Meals for Weight Loss

These dietitian-approved recipes are designed to support your weight loss journey with just a handful of ingredients.

a woman cooking healthy food on a yellow background

10 Ways to Spring Clean Your Diet

RDs share how to feel your best and get more out of the foods you're eating.

Prebiotic foods for gut health - asparagus leeks onion garlic strawberries bananas

10 Prebiotic Foods for Better Gut Health

Make sure you give your beneficial biome bacteria the proper fuel to thrive with these prebiotic foods.

collage of breakfast items from taco bell surrounding a restaurant sign on a designed background

12 Best & Worst Taco Bell Breakfast Orders

What to eat and what to skip when you're looking for healthy options on the Taco Bell breakfast menu.

drinking tea

The 10 Healthiest Drinks To Sip

These health-boosting beverages are worth adding to your diet.

woman pouring a cooking oil into a pan

The 5 Healthiest Oils to Cook With—and 5 To Avoid

The ingredients you cook with, such as cooking oils, can affect your health—and some are better to use than others.

salmon avocado toast on plate, concept of weight-loss breakfasts under 400 calories

6 Best Weight-Loss Breakfasts Under 400 Calories

These tasty breakfast ideas will keep you full and won't cost you many calories.

sweeteners

The 6 Healthiest Sweeteners—and 6 to Avoid

We are here to help you pick the best way to sweeten up your day.

healthy canned chilis

10 Best & Worst Canned Chilis, According to Dietitians

Not all canned chilis are created equally, and some are significantly healthier than others.

tim hortons menu

The Best & Worst Menu Items at Tim Hortons

When you're in the mood for coffee and a donut, you'll know exactly what to order off the Tim Hortons menu with this nutrition guide.

zaxbys healthy menu options

The Best & Worst Menu Items at Zaxby's, According to RDs

When you need a wing fix, order wisely with our guide.

Healthy trail mix

5 Healthiest Trail Mixes—and 5 to Avoid

This snack can give you healthy fats, protein, and fiber, but not all brands are equally healthy.

cottage cheese with blueberries, concept of lazy breakfast ideas for weight loss

10 ‘Lazy’ Breakfast Ideas for Weight Loss

Strapped for time? These lazy breakfast ideas for weight loss are tasty and simple to prepare.

chilis restaurant

11 Unhealthiest Dishes to Order at Chili’s

Chili’s menu is better known for its appealing flavor than healthfulness, but these dishes have some excessively unhealthy nutrition facts.

Costco sign, concept of Costco desserts for weight loss

15 Best Costco Desserts for Weight Loss

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these weight-loss-friendly desserts from Costco.

dennys menu best and worst orders

The Best & Worst Menu Items at Denny's

Next time you head to America's diner, consider what these dietitians have to say about the healthiest and unhealthiest orders off the menu.

happy woman weight loss concept, diet change to speed up weight loss

This One Change to Your Diet Can Help You Lose Weight Faster

Speed up your weight-loss efforts by making this one simple tweak to your diet.

10 Foods You Must Avoid To Lose Weight in 2024

10 Foods You Must Avoid To Lose Weight in 2024

Dietitians share some of the grocery store buys you should leave on the shelf in the New Year if you're trying to lose weight.

woman eating salad

10 Best Eating Habits to Help Boost Your Metabolism

Exercise and genetics are part of it, but adopting these healthy eating habits can also speed things up.

citrus fruits, concept of the #1 best fruit to eat for weight loss

The #1 Best Fruit To Eat for Weight Loss

This versatile, delicious fruit is dietitian-approved for your weight loss efforts.

frozen Sam's Club foods for weight loss

10 Best Sam’s Club Frozen Foods for Weight Loss

Add these tasty, weight-loss-friendly frozen foods to your shopping cart ASAP.

pesto gnocchi, concept of healthy weight loss dinners that are 500 calories or less

5 Best Weight-Loss Dinners That Are 500 Calories or Less

These recipes don't require a ton of prep work and are perfect for weight loss.

Carl's Jr. Menu Items

The 18 Best & Worst Menu Items at Carl's Jr.

RDs looked at the Carl's Jr. menu in its entirety and picked the items to try, and the ones to avoid.

woman eating restaurant breakfast, concept of low-calorie breakfasts at major restaurant chains

The Best Low-Calorie Breakfasts at 10 Major Restaurant Chains

Make the healthiest choice for breakfast with these options at your fingertips.

healthiest store bought smoothie

The Best & Worst Store-Bought Smoothies

Give your blender a rest and grab one of these healthy store-bought smoothies for on-the-go fuel.

Next