What Does Djokovic Eat for Breakfast for Peak Performance?

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2011, Novak Djokovic's career was transformed after a diagnosis of gluten and dairy sensitivity, leading to a complete dietary overhaul that catapulted him to the top of the sport. A cornerstone of this regimen is his meticulously planned morning meal, and fans often wonder: what does Djokovic eat for breakfast?

Quick Summary

An inside look at Novak Djokovic's gluten-free and plant-based morning routine. He starts with warm lemon water, followed by a green smoothie or a power bowl of mixed seeds, nuts, and berries for sustained energy.

Key Points

Pre-Breakfast Ritual: Djokovic starts his day with warm lemon water and celery juice to aid detoxification and digestion before eating any solid food.
Power Bowl Breakfast: His main breakfast is a gluten-free power bowl featuring muesli or oatmeal, mixed nuts, seeds, berries, and manuka honey.
Green Smoothie Option: An alternative breakfast is a green smoothie containing spinach, kale, algae, and fruits for rapid nutrient absorption before intensive training.
Avoids Gluten and Dairy: Following his diagnosis of food sensitivities, his diet is strictly gluten-free and dairy-free to reduce inflammation and fatigue.
Focuses on Light Digestion: He prioritizes easily digestible, plant-based foods in the morning to conserve energy for his training sessions.
Manuka Honey for Energy: Two tablespoons of manuka honey provide a natural, sustained energy boost without the crash of processed sugars.
Strategic Snacking: On high-demand days, he may have a second small breakfast, such as gluten-free toast with avocado and tuna.

The Foundation of a Champion's Morning

Novak Djokovic’s breakfast is not just a meal; it's a strategic part of his performance-enhancing daily routine. Far from a heavy, meat-and-dairy-filled meal, his morning intake is designed for detoxification, light digestion, and high-octane energy without a crash. His approach begins the moment he wakes up and sets the tone for his demanding training sessions and matches.

Djokovic's Pre-Breakfast Ritual

Before consuming any solid food, Djokovic follows a specific hydration ritual to prepare his body. This process is crucial for cleansing and is a non-negotiable part of his day.

Warm Water with Lemon: The day begins with a glass of warm water and lemon, which he believes aids in detoxification and kickstarts the metabolism.
Celery Juice: Next, he drinks a glass of fresh celery juice on an empty stomach. Celery is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its potential to improve digestion.

The Nutrient-Dense Power Bowl

Once hydrated and prepped, Djokovic moves on to his main breakfast meal, often a 'Power Bowl' brimming with energy-boosting ingredients. This isn't your average cereal; it's a carefully selected blend of plant-based whole foods designed for slow, sustained energy release.

The Base: Organic, gluten-free oatmeal or muesli forms the foundation.
The Toppings: He adds a variety of mixed nuts and seeds, such as almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds, for healthy fats and protein.
The Fruit: Fresh or dried berries, cranberries, and raisins provide natural sweetness and antioxidants.
The Liquid: Instead of dairy, he uses plant-based milks like almond or rice milk, or even coconut water.
The Secret Ingredient: Two tablespoons of manuka honey are often added for a natural and sustained energy boost.

The Green Smoothie Boost

On some mornings, Djokovic opts for a highly concentrated green smoothie, particularly before a high-intensity training session. This allows for rapid absorption of nutrients without taxing his digestive system.

Ingredients: A powerful mix of antioxidant-rich ingredients like spinach, kale, algae (spirulina or chlorella), celery, apples, and a variety of mixed berries.
Enhancements: He may add hemp or chia seeds for extra fiber and healthy fats, and a scoop of superfood powder for added nutrients.

Comparison: Djokovic's Breakfast vs. Standard Athlete Breakfast


Feature	Novak Djokovic's Breakfast	Standard Athlete Breakfast
Dairy	Strictly avoided (uses plant-based alternatives)	Often includes dairy like yogurt, milk, or cheese
Gluten	Excluded completely (uses gluten-free grains)	Frequently includes wheat products like toast or bagels
Processed Sugar	Avoided (uses natural sources like manuka honey, fruit)	May contain refined sugars in cereals or fruit juices
Meat/Eggs	Not included in the breakfast meal (plant-based)	Common inclusion (e.g., eggs, sausage, bacon)
Hydration	Ceremonial start with warm lemon water and celery juice	Often focuses on sports drinks or coffee
Digestion	Prioritizes easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods	Can include heavier, harder-to-digest fats and proteins

A Second Breakfast Option

On particularly demanding days, Djokovic may consume a second, small breakfast a bit later in the morning. This snack-sized meal provides an additional boost of sustained energy and can vary based on his specific needs. A common choice is gluten-free toast with avocado and occasionally tuna, depending on his current dietary phase. This targeted refueling strategy ensures his body has the necessary fuel without feeling sluggish.

The Importance of Discipline and Intentional Eating

Djokovic's breakfast, and indeed his entire diet, is a testament to the discipline and intentionality that defines his career. His journey to discovering his sensitivities to gluten and dairy, and subsequently adopting a plant-based approach, was a turning point. As detailed in his book, Serve to Win, the changes led to significant improvements in his performance, energy levels, and overall health. The commitment required to maintain such a strict diet, even foregoing cravings after a major win, is a cornerstone of his success. His breakfast is more than a meal; it's a daily reaffirmation of his commitment to his physical and mental peak. For more on his holistic approach to wellness, you can explore the resources on his official foundation website.

Conclusion

Novak Djokovic’s breakfast is a strategically planned, gluten-free, and largely plant-based meal that goes far beyond simple nourishment. Starting with a detoxifying warm lemon water and celery juice, he fuels his body with either a nutrient-rich power bowl of organic muesli, nuts, seeds, and berries, or a potent green smoothie packed with superfoods. His deliberate choices avoid heavy, inflammatory foods, prioritizing easy digestion and a stable energy supply critical for his elite athletic performance. This disciplined morning routine underscores his belief that peak physical and mental form is built from the inside out, starting with the first meal of the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

While Djokovic has stated he now stays almost entirely plant-based and avoids most animal products, reports indicate slight variations in his diet over the years, though it remains predominantly whole-food and plant-based.

He starts his day with warm water and lemon to help his body detoxify and to stimulate his metabolism, preparing his digestive system for the day's intake.

His Power Bowl typically contains organic, gluten-free muesli or oatmeal, a mix of seeds and nuts (like pumpkin and almonds), berries, and is often sweetened with a couple of spoonfuls of manuka honey.

His green smoothie is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients such as spinach, kale, celery, apples, algae (like spirulina), berries, and sometimes dates.

Djokovic changed his diet after a diagnosis of gluten and dairy sensitivity in 2010. Eliminating these items led to a significant increase in his energy levels and improved his performance on the court.

No, Djokovic has stated that he avoids coffee and caffeine as part of his morning routine. He might occasionally have a green tea, but coffee is not a part of his regular intake.

His philosophy focuses on light, easily digestible, nutrient-dense foods to fuel his body without causing inflammation or energy crashes. He emphasizes hydration, superfoods, and natural energy sources.