From Court to Kitchen: NBA Star Domantas Sabonis Reveals His Secret Recipe for Peak Performance
In a groundbreaking revelation that’s making waves across both sports and culinary circles, Sacramento Kings’ powerhouse Domantas Sabonis has lifted the lid on the carefully crafted diet that keeps him at the top of his game.
The three-time All-Star, who played all 82 games last season, credits his impressive durability to a mix of strict dietary discipline and occasional culinary indulgences.
The Breakfast of Champions Every offseason morning starts with a precise combination: fresh avocado, eggs, protein-rich sausage, and either oatmeal or a light salad. But what really kicks off his day? As demonstrated in the Netflix documentary “Starting 5,” he begins his day with a robust cup of espresso.
The Science Behind the Strength During the season, the 6-foot-10 255-pound center follows a strict anti-inflammatory diet. Blood tests showed that certain foods could trigger inflammation in his body. As a result, he cuts out gluten, beef, apples, asparagus, yogurt, and even egg whites from October onward.
Protein Power Sabonis swears by protein shakes made with milk, not water—a simple trick that makes a big difference. His private chef prepares salmon or steak for dinner, ensuring he maintains the strength needed to compete against NBA giants like Anthony Davis and Jusuf Nurkić.
A Taste of Home When the season ends, Sabonis returns to his Spanish roots. This year, after the Kings’ play-in tournament exit, he spent a month in Spain enjoying local delicacies like paella, croquettas, and jamón serrano. It’s this balance between strict season discipline and off-season enjoyment that keeps him motivated.
Sacramento’s Secret Spot While living in Loomis during the season, Sabonis has found his local food haven: Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine. The restaurant makes a special exception to its no-takeout policy just for him. “We just order everything,” Sabonis says with a smile. “Every time I order, I get three extra bags, so it’s great.”
Wine and dine. In the offseason, Sabonis calls Napa home, where he’s developed his own line of Cabernet called “Ones by Sabonis” with his wife Shashana. His Napa residence has become a pre-season retreat for Kings teammates, combining team bonding with fine dining.
The story of Sabonis’s dietary regime shows how modern athletes are revolutionizing their approach to nutrition. It’s not just about eating right; it’s about understanding your body, adapting to its needs, and finding joy in food while maintaining peak performance.
As we see more NBA stars sharing their dietary secrets, Sabonis’s approach stands out for its combination of scientific precision and cultural appreciation. Sabonis calculates every choice, from his morning espresso to his evening wine, to perform at his best while still enjoying life’s culinary pleasures.
Domantas Sabonis, one of only 17 NBA players to achieve perfect attendance last season, may have benefited from this combination of disciplined nutrition and culinary enjoyment, demonstrating that sometimes the road to success leads through the kitchen.