Does Djokovic Still Eat Fish? A Deep Dive into His Plant-Based Diet

December 18, 2025 •

3 min read

Since 2016, Novak Djokovic has publicly stated that his diet is entirely plant-based, marking a definitive shift from earlier phases that included some fish. This dietary transformation followed a 2010 diagnosis of gluten and dairy intolerance, which significantly impacted his health and on-court endurance.

Quick Summary

This article examines the evolution of Novak Djokovic's dietary choices, clarifying his shift to a plant-based regimen and his current stance on consuming fish or any animal products.

Key Points

No Longer Eats Fish: Since 2016, Novak Djokovic has followed a strictly plant-based diet, eliminating all animal products, including fish.
The Gluten-Free Foundation: His dietary transformation began in 2010 after being diagnosed with a gluten and dairy intolerance, which led to immediate performance improvements.
A Conscious Lifestyle Choice: Beyond diet, his plant-based approach reflects ethical and environmental concerns, as noted in interviews.
Diet Fuels Longevity: Djokovic credits his dietary discipline with enhancing his energy levels, speeding up recovery, and extending his highly successful career.
Avoids the 'Vegan' Label: While his diet is entirely plant-based, he has expressed a preference not to use the 'vegan' label due to potential misinterpretations.
Contradictions are Outdated: Any information suggesting he still eats fish likely stems from outdated articles or sample menus that pre-date his definitive shift to a plant-based regimen.

The Foundation: Eliminating Gluten and Dairy

Novak Djokovic's dietary journey began with a pivotal diagnosis in 2010. While competing in the Australian Open, he experienced mid-match collapses, breathing difficulties, and fatigue, leading to a meeting with Serbian nutritionist Dr. Igor Cetojevic. A simple test revealed a severe sensitivity to gluten and dairy. After removing these items, the results were almost immediate and profound. His energy levels stabilized, digestive issues cleared, and his on-court performance reached new heights. The year following his dietary change, Djokovic won three Grand Slams and 70 matches, losing only six. This initial success cemented his belief in the power of a highly disciplined approach to nutrition.

Transitioning from Pescatarian to Plant-Based

In the years following his initial change, Djokovic's diet continued to evolve. Reports from around 2016 indicate he was following a pescatarian diet, consuming fish occasionally while predominantly eating plant-based foods. However, by his own account, this was a transitional phase. In a 2019 interview, he clarified that he had been eating a strictly plant-based diet for several years. He consciously moved away from all animal products, citing ethical reasons and health benefits like improved digestion and energy levels. This was confirmed again in 2025 interviews where he reiterated his plant-based lifestyle.

A Typical Plant-Powered Day

Novak's current daily eating plan is meticulously structured for optimal athletic performance and recovery. He starts his day with liquids to hydrate and detoxify, followed by nutrient-dense, easily digestible foods.

Morning Routine: A glass of warm water with lemon, followed by celery juice and a green smoothie packed with fruits, algae, and supplements like spirulina.
Breakfast: A power bowl consisting of gluten-free muesli, mixed nuts, seeds, and fruits.
Throughout the day: Fruit smoothies, dates, and other energy-boosting snacks.
Lunch: Focused on easily digestible carbohydrates and vegetables, such as quinoa or rice-based pasta with avocado and seasonal vegetables.
Dinner: Typically features soups, salads, and plant-based protein sources.

Clarifying Conflicting Reports on Fish Consumption

While the public record indicates Djokovic has followed a plant-based diet for years, some confusion has arisen from contradictory online reports. For instance, a 2024 article on his official website included a sample meal plan mentioning salmon and chicken. However, this sample menu appears to reflect a much earlier version of his diet, pre-dating his firm commitment to a plant-based lifestyle around 2016. Such outdated information can linger and cause confusion. His most recent public statements, including those from 2025, consistently re-confirm his plant-based regimen.

Comparison: Djokovic's Old vs. Current Diet


Aspect	Pre-2016 Diet (Transitional)	Post-2016 Diet (Current)
Protein Sources	Included fish, some white meat, but mostly plant-based	Exclusively plant-based: legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu
Key Food Exclusions	Gluten, dairy, most red meat	Gluten, dairy, all animal products (meat, fish, eggs)
Energy Levels	Significant improvement over pre-2010, but still some digestive issues from meat	Enhanced recovery, sustained energy, mental clarity
Recovery	Improved significantly after eliminating gluten/dairy	Optimal, faster muscle recovery credited to plant-based intake
Common Meals	Fish fillets, gluten-free pasta, mixed salads	Green smoothies, power bowls, quinoa salads, soups

Conclusion

Based on his consistent public statements since 2016 and detailed accounts of his current daily routine, Novak Djokovic no longer eats fish. His diet is strictly plant-based, a progression from an earlier phase where fish was sometimes included. This highly disciplined dietary approach, which also excludes gluten, dairy, and refined sugar, is a cornerstone of his legendary career, contributing significantly to his physical longevity and mental sharpness. Conflicting information online typically refers to outdated sample menus or earlier stages of his dietary evolution. The current evidence is clear: Djokovic's power comes from plants.

Here is a 2025 interview where Djokovic discusses his daily diet and wellness routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, according to his recent interviews and public statements from 2024 and 2025, Novak Djokovic follows a strictly plant-based diet and does not consume fish.

While his diet is plant-based, Djokovic has stated he prefers not to be called vegan, citing a dislike for labels and their misinterpretation. His eating habits, however, align with a vegan diet.

Yes, during a transitional phase following his initial diet change in 2010, Djokovic's diet included some fish and white meat. He has since eliminated all animal products.

He found that eating meat was hard on his digestion and that a plant-based diet provided him with more sustained energy, better focus, and faster recovery for his training and matches.

The core of his diet is plant-based, with strict exclusions of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. He emphasizes nutrient-dense foods like fruits, seeds, nuts, and whole grains.

Djokovic obtains his protein from a variety of plant-based sources, including nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains like quinoa and millet.

The confusion often stems from outdated information. For example, a sample meal plan on his official website from 2024 showed fish, but this reflects an older dietary phase and contradicts his current public stance.