Yes, Dietitians Drink Too
It’s December. And with December comes socializing. And with socializing comes alcohol.
I have been socializing—spiritually, emotionally, physically—for weeks now. I’ve been staying out later than I’d like to, spending lots of time anywhere but my cozy, decorated home, and enjoying glasses of red wine and the occasional holiday-themed cocktail. (Something with rosemary. Always something with rosemary.)
Anyway, I’m socializing. And what I’ve noticed lately is a definite shift in alcohol culture—toward lower consumption, more intention, more moderation. Which, honestly, was probably needed and is probably a good thing. But I also don’t think it’s inherently wrong to enjoy a drink from time to time. I’m a dietitian. And I do.
How drinking culture in the U.S. has shifted
Over the past few years, alcohol culture in the U.S. has trended toward less consumption and more health-consciousness. Gen Z and Millennials, in particular, are drinking less overall. Gone are the college-era days when two or three drinks were just the “pregame” before the real night began.
Enter the sober curious movement—a shift driven largely by health concerns. And I get it. From a nutrition and physiology standpoint, alcohol doesn’t exactly bring much to the table in terms of health. It’s not nourishing. It doesn’t offer vitamins or minerals. It’s technically a toxin that the body works hard to metabolize.
That said, health is not just about nutrients on a spreadsheet.
So why does drinking feel…shameful?
For some reason or another, alcohol became moralized. Drinking less or being fully sober is framed as “good.” Drinking at all can feel like a failure—especially if you care about your health, follow nutrition content, or work in wellness. And for dietitians? There’s often an unspoken expectation to be the picture of perfect habits at all times.
And as a dietitian, yes, drinking less or abstaining from drinking at all is healthier and has a plethora of long-term health benefits. But the thing is, if you enjoy alcohol in moderation, it’s not going to ruin your health and you shouldn’t feel shameful about it.
Having a cocktail at a holiday party doesn’t undo your balanced meals, your movement, your sleep, or your stress management. And choosing to drink—intentionally, occasionally, joyfully—is not the same thing as drinking mindlessly or excessively.
As a dietitian, I care deeply about helping people build sustainable habits. And for many people, sustainability includes alcohol. Not every day. Not without awareness. But without guilt.
A more realistic approach to alcohol
This isn’t a post telling you to drink more. It’s also not a post telling you to stop. It’s an invitation to look at the bigger picture.
If you enjoy alcohol, here’s what I often remind clients (and even myself):
Pair drinks with food—it slows absorption of alcohol and feels better overall
Drink water alongside alcohol (boring advice, but it works because it helps to keep you hydrated)
Choose drinks you actually enjoy, not ones you feel like you should be ordering
Pay attention to how alcohol makes you feel—not what the internet says
And if you’re not drinking? That’s great too. Truly. There’s room for all of it.
The bottom line
Health isn’t about perfection. It’s about context, balance, and quality of life. For me, that sometimes includes a glass of red wine with dinner or a festive cocktail with friends in December. And that doesn’t make me a “bad” dietitian—it makes me a human one.
So yes. Dietitians drink too. And we can care about health and pleasure at the same time.
