What Dolly Parton Typically Eats In A Day

What does Dolly Parton typically eat in a day? The legendary singer-songwriter has captured America's heart, thanks to her remarkable talent, signature femme look, down-to-earth nature, and, of course, her sense of humor. From living a childhood in poverty to becoming an international musical sensation, Dolly Parton has undergone a seriously stunning transformation.

As much as the star has evolved into a glittering diva, however, one thing that's remained the same — at least, from the looks of things — is Parton's petite stature and build. Although she's definitely well-endowed when it comes to her bust line, something she's often joked about, Parton maintains an enviable small waist line. And as we all know, that's not always an easy feat!

Still, Parton isn't one to forsake her favorite foods in the name of staying slim. As it turns out, she has some classic picks that are decadent and flavorful, some thanks to her southern upbringing, and some thanks to her sense of culinary adventure. So if you're ready to dine with Dolly, keep scrolling, as this is what Dolly Parton typically eats in a day.

It's a well-known fact that Dolly Parton is a hard worker. Whether she's cutting an album, traveling all over the country on tour, or writing songs in the early morning hours, Dolly Parton is not one to rest on her laurels (via The Boot). That means Parton has to make sure she eats healthy in order to power her busy lifestyle. "I try to stay on my low-carb diet during the week," she revealed in a chat with Parade. 

However, that doesn't mean Parton is above a cheat day. In fact, she looks forward to her non-diet days with great happiness. "And then when I know I have a day off, I say, 'Make me a pan of corn bread,'" she continued. Talk about relatable.

When Parton isn't on the road, she'll spend her off-day with her husband just having a good time. "If we're not cooking, we travel around in our camper, stop at fast-food restaurants, and picnic," she added. "We love that stuff that will harden your arteries in a hurry." So do we, Dolly!

The reason that everyone loves eating food is because it tastes delicious. According to Scientific American, our bodies are carefully wired to enjoy and appreciate food, which, of course, we need to live.

However, when it comes to Dolly Parton's appreciation for food, it stops at the back of her throat. "Our taste buds are all in our mouths," she explained. "Once we swallow, we don't really taste the food." Well, maybe not consciously, as there are taste receptors in some of our digestive organs.

Still, Parton does have a point, in that the joy of eating lies within our mouths for the most part. "The pleasure and satisfaction is in the tasting and chewing," she continued. To that end, Parton makes sure to eat her food mindfully and slowly, taking her time to chew it thoroughly. As to whether or not she actually swallows her food all the time, well, that remains a bit of a mystery (via What Would Dolly Do? How to be a Diamond in a Rhinestone World).

Despite never having tried shellfish while she was growing up, and only really appreciating the food as an adult, Dolly Parton has truly come to appreciate the taste of the briny food. In fact, when she dines out at one of her favorite haunts in New York City, her absolute favorite appetizer is clams casino. "I like clams but I don't like them when they're all big and chewy, so they chop them up for me," she explained to The New York Times. "This way you get the flavor of the clams and bread crumbs all mixed up."

That said, you're not likely to find a recipe for clams casino in Parton's first cookbook, Dolly's Dixie Fixin's. "I still like to try new foods as often as I can," she shared on her website. "But when it comes to cooking for myself and my husband, Carl, and my great big extended family ... what we really want to eat is what comforts us most: good, hearty food rooted in Mama's cooking and those country gatherings of my childhood."

Have you ever heard of the Cabbage-Soup Diet, also known as the TWA Stewardess Diet, also known as the Dolly Parton Diet? If not, it's pretty much what you'd expect from the name: You eat cabbage soup. A lot of it. And it's supposed to help you lose weight.

Chances are that's the diet that Parton was referring to when she came across a diet named after her in a magazine. "It had nothing to do with me," she told People magazine (via Vanity Fair). "But I thought I might as well see if I can lose weight on my own diet."

So if and when Parton gave her eponymous diet a try, she likely ate bowls and bowls of cabbage soup for seven whole days. Additionally, since you're allowed to have supplemental fruits and vegetables on the diet, those were likely on the menu every day as well. Given that you can sometimes have potatoes on this diet, maybe Parton liked it more than the rest of us!

While Dolly Parton is very much at home in her native Tennessee, she also spends a significant amount of time on the road. That means that she has to eat out at restaurants, as she can't exactly bring her kitchen on tour with her.

But from the sound of things, Parton doesn't mind getting her meals on the go, as she has quite the expansive palette when it comes to dining out. "I love Indian, Italian and Mexican food," she told The New York Times. "And if it's a romantic type of thing, I like a good French restaurant. Of course, somebody else has to choose the wine." You would hope Parton's date would appreciate a fine wine!

However, Parton doesn't need a restaurant to be highbrow, as she's also a big fan of little old Taco Bell. "I love their tacos," she revealed in a chat with Sirius XM (via Food & Wine). "They also have little pizzas that I love." Parton enjoys getting fast food with her husband when she's not on the road, too.

Fun fact: Dolly Parton really enjoys drinking alcohol. While she doesn't necessarily love the taste of all alcohols, there's one that she finds herself appreciating when it's time to have fun. "My favorite drink is really red wine," she revealed in a chat with The New York Times. "I don't know too much about different kinds. But I know I like the kind that has a little of that dryish feeling at the end — from wood or whatever." So chances are Parton prefers a good cabernet sauvignon or a pinot noir, rather than a port wine or a chardonnay.

However, there's one issue that Parton experiences when she indulges in her favorite alcoholic beverage. "But there's one problem I have with red wine," she continued. "With my fair skin and everything, when I drink a few glasses I start to turn all red!"

And when it comes time to start the party with a bang, Parton will throw back a shot of tequila "to get a quick buzz on." Bottoms up, Dolly!

When it comes to what inspires Dolly Parton in the kitchen, there's no question: her mother. To that end, when Parton wants to whip up a dessert that summons nostalgia for her childhood, she turns to a tried-and-true recipe. "Mama used to make, it's like chocolate pudding, really, but you put it in the skillet with flour and sugar and milk and you just make a pudding," she recalled in an interview with People. "Mama used to put it with biscuits." 

So whenever Parton is in the kitchen, you can count on the fact that she's honoring her family legacy. "Mama's gone now, but she's not gone in our memory and in our cooking," she continued.

Parton is also a big fan of walnut pie, as she shared a recipe for the confection on her Instagram page. Given that it's from her first cookbook, chances are Parton's mother inspired the recipe.