Melissa Rifkin Nutrition

Dietitian, Weight Management & Expert

environment

I Came for Delicious Fish & Stayed for the Mission

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I have a few grim facts for you:

  • Less than 9% of plastic waste is recycled globally
  • 80% of all marine debris is made up of plastic
  • 85% of plastic packaging ends up in landfills

I have worked with Safe Catch for years, creating fun and easy recipes with their delicious, convenient products. Wild tuna, salmon, and sardines are the products we use at home most often, and we are stocked on flavored pouches for quick meals and snacks, road trips, and meals on-the-go. Each of these items pack valuable Omega-3 fats, protein, and a variety of essential nutrients, but that is true for most tuna, salmon, and sardines. What helps Safe Catch stand above the rest is their commitment to safe seafood and lending a positive contribution to the planet.

When it comes to safety, Safe Catch keeps your wellness in mind with their strict testing and selectivity in which fish makes it to your plate. Their tuna is traceable from catch to can, and *every*single*fish* is tested for mercury content. If it doesn’t meet their purity standards, they aren’t buying it. In fact, 1 out of every 4 tuna do not pass their purity tests, which is why they test every fish. AND, they are the only brand that does!

You get the point: no one believes more in the quality of their product than Safe Catch.

As they say… I came for delicious, convenient fish, and stayed for the safety. While I stayed, I also learned how committed Safe Catch is to supporting our environment. Now, for some more uplifting facts!

  • Through their work with rePurpose Global, the World’s leading Plastic Action Platform,  Safe Catch has recovered over 195,629 pounds of ocean-bound plastic from our oceans. This amount of plastic is equivalent to the weight of 30 orca whales.
  • For every 1 can or 1 pouch of Safe Catch purchase, they are able to help extract 5 grams of plastic from our oceans.
  • Safe Catch’s project is called Saaf Samudra (meaning Clean Seas), has alone contributed to 1.5 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic recovery in 2022 and has helped improve the lives of 25 waste workers.

And there you have it. I came for delicious, convenient fish, and stayed for the safety AND mission. What else could you ask for in an organization? It should be no surprise why Safe Catch is our “house” brand of canned and pouched fish.

If you’re new to Safe Catch and wanting to try it for the first time, use code CONFESS15 for 15% off your order. And, if you already love their products, use my code to buy in bulk (guilty!) so you’re never without a lean, healthy protein for your meals and snacks.

Your Seafood Choices May Impact Our Global Food Systems

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This blog title may sound a little dramatic, but it is true, and this grim fact deserves more attention.

Through my partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), I have learned so much about how the seafood we enjoy makes its way to our dinner tables, and its impact on the environment and our marine ecosystems. In the past, I honestly wouldn’t spend much time looking at the packaging of fish I was buying. We eat fish often because it is nutrient dense, and beyond that, I didn’t think is mattered too much which salmon filet I chose. Boy, was I wrong.

Now, I look for the MSC blue fish label while shopping for seafood.

The MSC blue fish label makes it easy for consumers to choose products that come directly from sustainably managed MSC certified fisheries—meaning your purchase supports the fishermen bringing us sustainable options!

You also send a message to other fisheries and seafood brands that they should be using sustainable fishing and sourcing practices. Simply look for the blue fish label on your canned, pouched, fresh, frozen, and chilled fish items at your local grocery store.

Here’s why it matters:

Seafood can be an important source of essential nutrients in the diet, including protein, Omega-3 fats, vitamin D, and various other vitamins and minerals. It is a quick-cooking protein that is versatile in cooking methods and can be paired with a wide variety of seasonings, sauces, and condiments—making it an accessible option for home cooks of all skill levels.

Fish is also an essential protein source for individuals who follow a pescatarian diet, and to the over 3 billion people globally who depend on seafood as their main protein source (Source: WWF). Fish is an essential part of our food system and we can’t afford to ignore the impact overfishing can have on food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

For all these reasons, and more, we should do everything we can to support the well-being and longevity of our oceans to ensure this essential food source is available for decades to come.

MSC is the largest independent seafood sustainability certification program in the world, and the MSC blue fish label program rewards fisheries, retailers, and brands committed to making sustainable seafood more accessible around the world. Thankfully, MSC has done the hard work—alongside scientists, fishers, governments, and policymakers—to create a unified global sustainable fishing standard that shoppers (like you and me!) can trust as a way to choose certified sustainable, wild-caught seafood.  

Without attention to fishing practices, we could threaten entire species with an impact that could be seen down the food chain and across bodies of water worldwide. The task is simple- choose MSC blue fish label products to support the mission of eliminating overfishing and other fishing practices that could harm the environment and ecosystem.

A Registered Dietitian Shares Her Top Health Products As a Mom

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Being a mom means playing many roles at home. Chef, activity coordinator, and boo-boo fixer are just some of the responsibilities that fall on the plates of many moms (and dads, too!). 

When I think about the health products that come in handy on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis, several come to mind—not only for my well-being but for my children and husband, too. Eating balanced meals, frequent exercise, and spending time outside are some of the habits I practice daily to support my health. I also incorporate certain products to complement these efforts. 

Supplements play a huge role in my self-care routine. While some I use only on an as-need basis like if I have a cold, others are part of my daily routine. As a mom, my main goal is to keep my kids as healthy and happy as possible. While I may not be able to fight off every runny nose or cough that crosses our path, I am confident the health products I keep in our rotation play an essential role in supporting our bodies. 

So, if you are searching for products that support your and your family’s health, look no further! I have you covered with my top mom-recommended health products. Read on to learn more. 

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6 Easy Eco-Friendly Habits to Implement Today

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When considering the simple choices you can make to protect and enhance our environment, you might first think of driving less, recycling more, and repurposing items that may otherwise end up in the landfill. These are all wonderful ways to take care of our earth. There are many other simple habits you can implement at home to further your eco-friendly efforts. 

Click ahead to read the first tip from Melissa on how to become more eco-friendly.

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