How much effort does Kohli put in to stay fit on the field? Learn about his diet routine.
- bySherya
- 05 Nov, 2026
What's the secret behind Virat Kohli's fitness? Learn about his diet, workouts, eating habits, sleep, and recovery. On his birthday, understand how he transformed his lifestyle.

Virat Kohli's diet plan
The mere mention of Virat Kohli immediately conjures up images of his superb fitness, strong physique, and agility on the field. Virat Kohli, who celebrates his birthday on November 5th, has influenced millions not only with his game but also with his fitness and lifestyle. The most remarkable aspect of his fitness is that it's not the result of any magical diet or exercise, but rather years of hard work, discipline, and a change in his eating habits.
There was a time when Virat Kohli was quite a foodie. However, over time, he changed his habits. Now, his diet is fairly balanced and controlled. He pays special attention to the amount of food he eats, nutrition, and his body's needs. On the occasion of his birthday, let's find out how much effort Virat Kohli puts in to keep himself fit and what his diet includes.
This is how the story of fitness began.
Virat Kohli's fitness journey didn't begin with just hitting the gym. He first addressed his eating habits. He once favored fried foods, non-vegetarian food, and spicy foods. However, with fitness as a priority, he made significant changes to his diet.
In a report published in July 2026, former Indian cricket team chef Arun Chauhan stated that Virat was once a foodie and preferred oily foods. Later, he began focusing on his fitness. Now, his diet includes items like tofu, salads, sprouts, and lentils.
Virat himself has stated in several interviews that a proper diet is crucial to staying fit. According to him, fitness isn't achieved solely by working hard in the gym; improving your eating habits is equally important.
90% of food is steamed or boiled
The most notable aspect of Virat Kohli's diet is that he doesn't like foods that are too oily or spicy. In an interview, he stated that approximately 90 percent of his meals consist of steamed or boiled foods.
He doesn't over-spice his food. He uses salt, pepper, and lemon for flavor. He also enjoys salads. Pan-grilled food is also a part of his diet. Virat has mentioned that he also eats things like kidney beans and cowpeas. Being a Punjabi, he doesn't completely eliminate these items from his diet. The main objective of his diet is to provide the body with essential nutrients and avoid unnecessary calories.
Vegetarian food, special focus on proteins and vegetables
Virat Kohli made a major dietary change around 2018 and began prioritizing a vegetarian diet. In 2021, he announced on social media that he is a vegetarian, not a vegan. A vegan diet excludes all animal-based foods, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and eggs. Describing his diet, Virat mentioned vegetables, some eggs, lentils, quinoa, and spinach. He also mentioned that he drinks two cups of coffee and enjoys dosa. However, he consumes all of these items in limited quantities.
Protein is a key element of their diet. A vegetarian diet can also provide adequate protein. Lentils, soy, tofu, kidney beans, black beans, beans, and other protein-rich foods are good options.
Virat can eat the same food for six months.
A major secret to Virat Kohli's fitness is consistency in his eating habits. He once revealed in an interview that he can eat the same meal three times a day for six months without any problems. According to him, the most challenging part of his fitness journey is controlling his eating habits. Going to the gym and exercising may be easy for many, but controlling his taste buds is challenging.
However, this doesn't mean he doesn't eat his favorite foods. Virat revealed in an interview that he loves chole bhature. He enjoys it whenever he gets the chance, but such items aren't part of his daily diet.
How hard does Virat Kohli work in the gym?
Virat's fitness isn't solely dependent on his diet. He also considers exercise and training to be an important part of his daily routine. His training regimen includes strength training, cardio, agility exercises, and stamina exercises.
- Strength training: Weight lifting and other strength-building exercises are performed to strengthen the body's muscles. This improves strength and endurance.
- Cardio exercise: Running and other aerobic activities help improve heart health and stamina.
- Agility exercises: Exercises like jumping, hopping, and agility drills improve body balance, coordination, and speed.
- Recovery exercises: Resting the body after strenuous training is essential. This includes focusing on stretching, mobility, and adequate rest.
Equal importance is given to sleep and recovery.
Diet and workouts alone aren't enough for good fitness. Adequate rest is also essential. Virat Kohli takes special care of this. He says that giving the body time to recover after strenuous training is crucial. Getting adequate sleep helps muscles recover, and the body regain energy. Virat has stated in interviews that he never neglects his sleep and his body's needs. He also incorporates activities like meditation and mindfulness into his daily routine.






