Hewlett native Chelsey Amer writes about the benefits of seafood

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For Hewlett native and registered dietitian nutritionist, Chelsey Amer, her passion for cooking and dieting has led her to write a cookbook titled “The 28-Day Pescatarian Meal Plan and Cookbook.”

The cookbook was released on April 14 and details the health benefits of a pescatarian diet, which emphasizes fish and seafood in a vegetarian diet. The cookbook outlines how to buy, store and cook fish. It also includes a month-long meal plan and more than 60 recipes.

The health benefits of such a diet is what inspired Amer to write the cookbook. “I knew that a pescatarian diet was full of health benefits from reduced risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, to vanity benefits, like strong and shiny skin, hair and nails,” she said. “I wanted to translate the health and beauty benefits of the pescatarian diet into a delicious eating experience.”

Amer, a 2006 Hewlett High School graduate, said that she was “born interested” in cooking. “The kitchen was the heart of our home growing up, so I remember cooking and baking with my mom from a very young age,” she said. “I feel very lucky that I grew up learning such an essential skill, that I was able to build on when I had my own kitchens throughout college and grad school.”

While she is not an expert chef, Amer said that her cooking skills developed through her studies. “As part of my training to become a dietitian I was lucky enough to learn from experienced chefs and explore the culinary side of the field as well,” she said. “I'm not a formally trained chef, but a home cook and food blogger, which makes the recipes I share approachable for anyone to roll up their sleeves and get cooking.” Amer earned her master’s degree in dietetics and nutrition from New York University in 2016.

Fellow nutritionist, Bonnie Taub-Dix, a Hewlett Neck resident, said that Amer’s cookbook is essential for those looking to maintain a good diet. “We’ve all heard that we should eat more veggies, but there aren’t enough messages out there singing the praises of seafood,” she said. “This cookbook makes it easy to seamlessly weave this essential class of foods into your diet on a regular basis.”

Amer’s husband for more than two years, Scott Group, said that nothing surprises him about his spouse’s nutrition background. “I've always been in awe of my wife and her accomplishments never cease to amaze me,” he said. “When she told me, she was writing a book, I frankly wasn't surprised because I always knew she was destined to do wonderful things with her knack for food, health and a nutritious lifestyle.”