Luka Doncic’s diet key to achieving his physical transformation: You can’t eat anything after 8:30 p.m.

Behind every elite athlete is a dedicated team working daily to keep them in peak condition. Physical fitness isn’t just about hitting the gym - it starts with what’s on the plate. And NBA star Luka Doncic is taking that principle to the next level, as has been outlined in a recent profile by Men’s Health magazine.

For the past two years, Doncic has relied on a specialized team: physical therapist Javier Barrio, strength coach Anze Macek and nutritionist Lucía Almendros. The Slovenian standout brought them on to design a personalized offseason training and nutrition program. His regimen includes two training sessions a day - except Sundays - featuring weightlifting, mobility work and on-court drills.

Fasting for performance

During the offseason, Doncic practices intermittent fasting daily, with the exception of his rest day. He fasts from 8:30 p.m. until noon the next day - over 15 hours without consuming a single calorie. His first training session takes place at the tail end of the fast, a strategy backed by research suggesting that fasted workouts can help lower blood sugar levels and improve fat metabolism. The result? Doncic enters his double-session days feeling fresh and energized.

Fighting inflammation, not the scale

The goal isn’t weight loss - it’s inflammation control. With his muscles constantly under stress from intense training, recovery is key. That’s where protein comes in. To support muscle repair and regeneration, Doncic consumes over 250 grams of protein daily - the equivalent of five extra-large chicken breasts. “The only quantity that we measure is the protein,” Almendros tells Men’s Health. “[250 grams] is the minimum. If he wants more, he can eat more.”

Carbohydrates are the only macronutrient that fluctuates in his diet. Doncic avoids gluten and instead consumes starchy carbs like rice and potatoes strategically. “Depending on the game, the time of the season, and his physical condition, we time the carbs to give him energy for games or training,” Almendros says. This approach helps maintain body composition and reduces digestive discomfort.

Flexibility during the grind

Once the season begins, Barrio and Almendros ease the restrictions. Travel schedules and the stress of high-stakes games make strict adherence to a rigid diet nearly impossible. During the season, “you can’t eat nothing after 8 PM because half the days you are traveling in this time,” Barrio explains to Men’s Health. “You are not able to do a fasting 16:8 during the season - this is impossible.” Instead of abandoning the plan, they adapt it - maintaining its core principles while allowing for flexibility.

Aiming for peak form in L.A.

This year, Doncic has set a clear goal: to enter his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers in the best shape of his life. With just three months to prepare, he has wasted no time. The Lakers’ last game was on April 30, and just days later, Doncic told his team, “I want to start immediately,” Barrio recalls. While most players unwind and indulge during the offseason, Luka went straight back to work.

And the results are already visible. By July, Doncic was sporting a leaner, more muscular physique - ready to elevate his game and athleticism heading into the 2025-26 season.

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