What is Tammy's diet like now?

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

Tammy Slaton of TLC's '1000-Lb Sisters' has lost over 500 pounds since starting her journey. Her dietary habits have completely transformed from a high-carb, high-sugar regimen to a strictly controlled eating plan focused on lean proteins, low carbohydrates, and portion control.

Quick Summary

An inside look at Tammy Slaton's eating habits following bariatric surgery, including her focus on proteins, portion control, and reduced sugar and soda intake. She has adopted a more mindful approach to food.

Key Points

High-Protein, Low-Carb: Tammy now focuses on eating lean proteins and significantly reduced carbohydrates to maintain her weight and health after bariatric surgery.
Portion Control: Due to a surgically smaller stomach, she eats very small, portion-controlled meals, a mandatory part of her new diet.
Hydration Focus: She has largely replaced sugary sodas with water, diet teas, and sugar-free alternatives to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary calories.
Moderate Indulgences: Tammy practices moderation, explaining that while she restricts certain foods, occasional small indulgences, like a low-sugar protein coffee, are part of her balanced approach.
Mindful Eating: After addressing her food addiction with therapy, Tammy now focuses on mindful eating and has a healthier relationship with food, viewing it as fuel rather than an emotional crutch.
Elimination of Junk Food: The old habit of relying on fast food, processed junk food, and concentrated sweets has been replaced by home-cooked, whole foods.
Lifelong Discipline: Her diet is not a temporary fix but a permanent, structured, and disciplined eating plan necessary for her long-term health and weight maintenance.

For years, fans of TLC's '1000-Lb Sisters' followed Tammy Slaton as she battled severe obesity and a dangerous food addiction. Since undergoing bariatric surgery in 2022 and her subsequent 500-plus pound weight loss, Tammy's diet has undergone a radical and mandatory transformation. No longer is she relying on fast food, sugary sodas, and emotional eating; instead, her new normal is defined by structured, small meals high in protein and low in carbs. This shift wasn't just a lifestyle choice—it was a critical medical necessity for her survival and a consequence of her stomach being surgically reduced.

The Building Blocks of Tammy's New Diet

Tammy's current eating plan is fundamentally different from her old one, which was fueled by convenience and addiction. The post-bariatric surgery diet is a strict, doctor-supervised regimen designed to maximize nutrient absorption within a dramatically smaller stomach capacity. The primary focus is on consuming small, frequent meals throughout the day to avoid overstretching the new stomach pouch and to maintain energy levels. On social media, Tammy has shared some of her key eating strategies with followers.

Proteins First: Bariatric patients are advised to eat protein first to ensure they meet their daily requirements before getting full. For Tammy, this includes things like lean ground meats and protein shakes, which she even mixes into her coffee. This strategy helps preserve muscle mass while losing weight.
Low Carbohydrates and Sugar: High-carb and sugary foods, including soda, were a staple of her old diet. Now, they are heavily restricted or eliminated, as they offer little nutritional value and can cause discomfort or even dumping syndrome after surgery.
Portion Control: Following bariatric surgery, a patient's stomach can only hold a few ounces of food at a time. Tammy has embraced this reality, and the small portion sizes are a mandatory part of her new relationship with food.
Hydration is Key: Replacing high-calorie beverages like soda with water is one of the most important changes. While she has admitted to having soda in moderation sometimes, she primarily drinks water, sugar-free Gatorade, and diet tea to stay hydrated.

From Old Habits to New Realities

The contrast between Tammy's old diet and her new one is stark and demonstrates the profound mental and physical changes she has undergone. Her previous eating habits were characterized by emotional binging and a high intake of junk food, habits she's worked to overcome with therapy and medical intervention.

The Role of Emotional Eating and Therapy

Tammy’s journey involved more than just changing what she ate; it required addressing the underlying psychological issues that drove her food addiction. In rehab, she received counseling to address emotional eating patterns, which stemmed from years of using food to cope with stress, grief, and feelings of isolation. This mental health support was as vital to her recovery as the physical surgery itself. Learning to eat mindfully and detach emotions from food was a critical step in her long-term success.

Comparison: Tammy’s Diet Before and After Surgery


Feature	Old Diet (Pre-Surgery)	New Diet (Post-Surgery)
Food Type	Processed junk food, high-carb meals, fast food	Lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains
Beverages	Frequent consumption of 8-12 sodas per day	Mostly water, diet teas, sugar-free drinks; sodas in extreme moderation
Portion Size	Uncontrolled, large amounts of food in one sitting	Very small, portion-controlled meals (4-6 oz)
Carbohydrates	High-carb intake from ramen, soup, and other quick meals	Low-carb focus, restricting starchy foods
Protein Focus	Minimal protein intake	High-protein focus to build and maintain muscle
Psychological Approach	Emotional eating, using food as a coping mechanism	Mindful eating, addressing addiction in therapy

A Lifelong Commitment to Discipline

Maintaining a diet after bariatric surgery is a lifelong commitment, not a temporary fix. Tammy has openly discussed the ongoing challenges, such as ensuring sufficient protein intake with her smaller stomach. Her use of protein coffees and conscious food choices demonstrates her dedication to maintaining her results. Her journey has shown that while the surgery was a vital tool, the true success came from her consistent effort and renewed discipline. She now approaches food as fuel for a body she is proud of, not as a source of emotional comfort. The mental and physical shift is what ultimately allowed her to reclaim her health and her life.

Conclusion: More Than a Diet, a New Lifestyle

Tammy Slaton's diet now is a complete departure from the habits that once put her life at risk. It represents the culmination of immense physical and emotional work. Her focus on high protein, low carbs, and strict portion control is a medical necessity following bariatric surgery, but her commitment to it is a testament to her newfound resolve. By replacing unhealthy food dependencies with a structured, nutritious eating plan, and addressing the psychological roots of her food addiction, Tammy has forged a new, healthier relationship with food. This transformation isn't just about weight loss—it's about adopting a brand new, healthier lifestyle that has allowed her to thrive.

Note: For more information on bariatric dietary guidelines, visit the UCSF Health dietary guidelines page for bariatric patients.

An Ongoing Transformation

Tammy's journey continues to evolve. In addition to dietary changes, she has incorporated increased physical activity and undergone skin removal surgery, which further altered her relationship with her body. Her public updates show her embracing her new capabilities, like walking without assistance and dancing. This ongoing process proves that maintaining health is a continuous effort, not just a diet plan.

Note: While Tammy shares aspects of her diet, it is crucial to remember that post-bariatric surgery eating plans are highly individualized and should only be followed under the strict supervision of a medical professional.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tammy now eats a diet primarily focused on high protein and low carbohydrates. This includes lean ground meats, some vegetables, and fortified protein drinks, and she avoids processed junk food and high-sugar items.

While Tammy used to consume a high amount of soda, she has significantly reduced her intake. She now drinks mostly water, diet tea, and sugar-free beverages, though she has mentioned having soda in moderation.

Following bariatric surgery, Tammy's stomach capacity is much smaller. She eats very small, controlled portions, often amounting to only a few ounces per meal, as is standard for post-op patients.

Yes, Tammy received therapy and counseling in a weight loss rehabilitation facility to address the emotional and psychological roots of her food addiction. This mental health support was a critical component of her transformation.

Proffee is a combination of coffee and a protein shake that Tammy sometimes drinks to increase her protein intake. She has posted about her recipes on social media, detailing how she uses instant coffee and sugar-free flavoring.

After her near-fatal health crisis, Tammy committed to a strict diet and rehab program. She began focusing on portion control, eliminating junk food, and incorporating more nutritious, whole foods, which allowed her to qualify for bariatric surgery.

Tammy follows a philosophy of moderation rather than strict elimination. She has indicated that controlled treats, like a small amount of soda, are acceptable as long as they don't derail her overall progress and she continues to hit her health goals.