Luka Doncic Weight Loss: Diet, Fasting, Training Details
Luka Dončić has spent most of his NBA career as one of the league’s most prolific scorers — and one of its most scrutinized when it comes to conditioning. This offseason, the 26-year-old five-time All-NBA selection made the kind of changes his body has never seen before. He’s now revealing exactly what that transformation involved, and why it matters heading into his first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Total Protein: 250 grams/day ·
Fasting Window: 16:8 (8:30pm–12pm) ·
Workouts: 2 per day ·
Diet: Gluten-free, low sugar
Quick snapshot
- 250g protein minimum daily (Business Insider)
- 16:8 fasting window, no Sundays (Men’s Health)
- Gluten-free year-round (Men’s Health)
- No confirmed 38-pound weight loss figure in primary sources
- Exact current weight not publicly disclosed
- Pickleball’s specific role in the regimen
- Team assembled in 2023
- One-month basketball break — a first
- Two-month Croatia training stint
- NBA season begins with new Lakers roster
- 16:8 fasting becomes harder during travel schedule
- Performance data expected mid-season
The four key facts emerging from this transformation tell a clear story about what professional athletes can achieve when they restructure every habit simultaneously.
Here is a breakdown of the key metrics driving Dončić’s offseason transformation, as reported across multiple sports outlets.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Protein Intake | 250 grams | Business Insider report |
| Fasting Protocol | 16:8 (8:30pm–12pm) | Men’s Health feature |
| Workouts Per Day | 2 | Business Insider report |
| Diet Restriction | Gluten-free | Men’s Health feature |
| All-NBA Selections | 5 | Bleacher Report interview |
| Age | 26 | Business Insider report |
| Basketball Break Duration | 1 month | Bleacher Report interview |
| Draft Vertical Leap | 42 inches | YouTube video clip |
How much weight did Luka Doncic lose?
Reports have circulated suggesting Luka Dončić shed a significant amount of weight during the 2025 offseason. However, Men’s Health — one of the primary sources covering this transformation in detail — explicitly states that no specific 38-pound weight loss figure has been confirmed in primary sources. This distinction matters for readers tracking accurate data.
What is confirmed: the Slovenian star made sweeping changes to his diet and training regimen. His nutritionist, Lucia Almendros, designed a plan centered on high protein intake and inflammation reduction. According to Business Insider, Dončić consumes 250 grams of protein daily — a minimum he maintains through eggs, chicken, and whey protein shakes. Almendros described this amount as “the minimum” he needs.
The regimen also included a one-month break from basketball — something Dončić told Bleacher Report he had never done before in his life. Combined with two months of training in Croatia, the offseason represented his most comprehensive physical overhaul since entering the NBA.
How much does Luka Doncic weigh now?
Dončić’s exact current weight has not been publicly disclosed. The lack of an official figure creates uncertainty despite the visual evidence of his transformation.
The clearest visual confirmation came through his appearance on the Men’s Health summer edition cover, where he appeared noticeably slimmer than in previous seasons. Men’s Health detailed his complete regimen, including his physiotherapist Javier Barrio’s observation that fasting reduces inflammation for his two-a-day workout schedule.
What we know: his vertical leap may have improved. Dončić told interviewers he believes his current vertical leap exceeds the 42-inch mark he posted at the 2018 NBA Draft — though this remains an unverified self-assessment rather than a tested measurement.
Men’s Health reported that Dončić adjusts carbs based on macro matching for training demands, maintaining a gluten-free approach year-round. His team — physiotherapist Javier Barrio, trainer Anze Macek, and nutritionist Lucia Almendros — has been working together for two years to refine this approach.
No official weight has been released. Before-and-after comparisons circulating online reflect visual estimates, not measured data.
What is Luka Doncic doing to lose weight?
Diet and fasting routines
Dončić follows a 16:8 intermittent fasting schedule, fasting from 8:30 p.m. until noon the next day — every day except Sundays. His first workout of the day occurs at the end of this fasting window, a timing choice his physiotherapist Javier Barrio told Men’s Health was designed to reduce post-workout inflammation.
The dietary framework excludes gluten entirely and limits sugar intake. He eats vegetables, nuts, and fruit, with carbohydrates like rice and potatoes used “sparingly for energy,” according to Business Insider. His nutritionist emphasizes protein over carbs, with 250 grams representing the daily minimum — equivalent to over 1 gram per pound of bodyweight.
“250 grams of protein is ‘the minimum’ amount he needs to eat in a day.”
— Lucia Almendros, nutritionist (Business Insider)
Training regimen details
Two workouts per day form the training backbone. Dončić performs his first session fasted, then breaks his eating window with his high-protein meals. His team includes physiotherapist Javier Barrio, trainer Anze Macek, and nutritionist Lucia Almendros — assembled roughly two years ago, according to Men’s Health.
Dončić discussed these changes publicly during an interview on NBC’s Today show ahead of the 2025 NBA season. He described taking an entire month away from basketball as an experiment that produced visible results.
“I actually gave up playing basketball for one month, which I’d never done in my life.”
— Luka Dončić (Bleacher Report)
The 16:8 protocol works during the offseason but becomes impractical during the NBA season. Travel schedules and game-day logistics make consistent fasting windows difficult to maintain — a challenge Dončić’s team acknowledges needs managing.
Did Luka Doncic lose a bunch of weight?
Visual transformations and fan reactions
Fans and analysts alike noticed the change immediately. Social media discussions, particularly on platforms like Reddit, featured side-by-side comparisons showing a leaner Dončić on the Men’s Health cover compared to his previous season appearances.
Dončić himself told Business Insider that the results aligned with his goals: “Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better.” This personal assessment matches the visual evidence, though it remains subjective rather than measured.
Before and after evidence
The Men’s Health cover represents the most widely distributed before-and-after reference. Beyond this, no official body measurements or body fat percentages have been released. The transformation is evident in photographs but unverifiable in precise figures.
The key takeaway: the changes are real and verified, but the exact numerical weight loss remains unconfirmed. This matters for readers who want factual precision over speculation.
Luka Doncic diet and workout?
Specific changes from Men’s Health
Men’s Health published the most detailed breakdown of Dončić’s approach. The core elements include 16-hour daily fasts, 250 grams of minimum protein, gluten-free and low-sugar nutrition, and two daily workouts with the first performed fasted.
“It’s not so easy to learn,”
— Javier Barrio, physiotherapist (Men’s Health)
Physiotherapist Javier Barrio explained the inflammation-fighting rationale, describing the discipline required to maintain this routine. The approach prioritizes reducing systemic inflammation alongside fat loss and lean muscle preservation.
Pickleball and other activities
Some reports mentioned pickleball as part of Dončić’s offseason activities, though specific details about pickleball’s role in his training remain unclear. The activity may contribute to cardio conditioning but has not been detailed in primary source coverage.
Timeline
Team assembled: physiotherapist Javier Barrio, trainer Anze Macek, and nutritionist Lucia Almendros begin working with Dončić
Dončić takes unprecedented one-month break from basketball
Two-month training stint in Croatia
Featured on Men’s Health summer edition cover in leaner physique
Interview on NBC’s Today show discussing weight loss and diet changes ahead of 2025 NBA season
Confirmed vs. Unclear
Confirmed facts
- 250 grams daily protein minimum from eggs, chicken, and whey
- 16:8 intermittent fasting from 8:30pm–12pm daily except Sundays
- Gluten-free diet maintained year-round
- Two workouts per day, first performed fasted
- One-month basketball break — first ever
- Two-month Croatia training camp
- Five-time All-NBA player at age 26
- Discussed transformation on NBC’s Today show
What remains unclear
- No specific 38-pound weight loss figure confirmed in primary sources
- Exact current weight not publicly disclosed
- Pickleball’s specific role in the regimen
- Before/after body measurements or body fat percentages
- Long-term sustainability during NBA travel schedule
Related reading: Caitlin Clark Net Worth · Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball Schedule
Doncic’s weight loss and intense training have elevated his NBA presence, as shown in the tight 76ers vs Lakers highlights76ers vs Lakers highlights where injury sidelined him late.
Frequently asked questions
What caused Luka Dončić to lose weight?
A combination of professional dietary restructuring and intensified training. His nutritionist Lucia Almendros designed a high-protein, gluten-free plan, while physiotherapist Javier Barrio oversaw fasting timing to reduce inflammation during two-a-day workouts.
Is Luka Dončić’s weight loss permanent?
Dončić plans to maintain the regimen, but the 16:8 fasting protocol becomes difficult during NBA travel. His team acknowledges this challenge and expects adjustments to the eating schedule once the season begins.
How does Luka Dončić’s weight compare to other NBA players?
No official current weight has been released. At 26 years old and 6’7″, he remains one of the league’s most physically imposing point guards, though his conditioning has been an ongoing storyline throughout his career.
What fruits did Luka Dončić eat for weight loss?
Dončić’s diet includes fruit as part of his broader nutrition approach, though specific fruit selections have not been detailed in primary sources. His overall framework emphasizes vegetables, nuts, and protein over carbohydrate-heavy foods.
Where can I see Luka Dončić weight loss photos?
His transformation is visible on the Men’s Health summer 2025 cover, widely circulated on social media, and referenced in comparison posts. No official before-and-after photo series with measured data has been released.
Did injuries contribute to Luka Dončić weight changes?
The primary sources focus on proactive transformation rather than weight changes driven by injury recovery. His team framed the program as performance optimization rather than injury management.
What is the heaviest NBA player weight?
This falls outside the scope of verified Dončić-specific facts. The question relates to league-wide roster data not covered in primary sources about his transformation.
Dončić’s transformation shows what’s possible with professional-grade support — but the exact numbers remain soft. For fans seeking precise metrics, the lack of official weight data means any before-and-after comparisons should be treated as estimates, not verified science.
Related reading
- Men’s Health — Dončić’s complete regimen breakdown
- Business Insider — nutritionist and physiotherapist interviews
- Bleacher Report — Dončić’s NBC Today interview and in-depth discussion