In more than two decades of action, LeBron James‘ legacy is indisputable. However, in a career as successful and distinguished as that of The Akron Hammer, as well as the joys and celebrations, there have also been sacrifices.
Despite missing the start of the season due to sciatica, LBJ is playing his 23rd season in the league and has revealed which of his favorite foods he decided to exclude from his diet in order to continue performing at a high level this year.
LBJ gives up his two favorite things
LeBron has managed to play 23 years in the NBA, something unprecedented in the history of the sport, becoming the first player in history to reach this milestone (Vince Carter follows with 22).
LeBron does not take his dedication to his physical condition and body care lightly. Whether he retires at the end of this season or in a few years, he takes the time to prepare each year in a special way, being aware of his limitations and his age, but without letting that condition him or turn into excuses.
Despite missing the start of the season due to sciatica (14 games), the three-time Olympic medalist spoke about how aging has forced him to give up two of his greatest culinary pleasures:
“I wasn’t playing, obviously, as the season started, so I needed to give up something. I gotta sacrifice something, and I actually did two things that I very love. And that is drinking wine and my chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I completely took it out,” he said in the most recent episode of his podcast ‘Mind the Game‘.
Although initially he was only going to limit himself to not eating his favorite cookies, he later added wine to his restrictions: “I didn’t have my first drink and my first piece of dessert until New Year’s. So I ended up going two months,” he added.
LeBron is one of the world’s most renowned wine lovers, but his love of cookies has also been the subject of much discussion, so his decision to voluntarily give up these two things from his diet, and to have kept it up for months, speaks volumes about his consistency and determination, something he has not lost with age.
Meanwhile, in the 2025-26 NBA season, James is averaging 22.0 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to a 33-21 record. Without a doubt, his sacrifices have paid off.
Furthermore, LeBron has not expressed a desire to end his career this year, although during All-Star Weekend he did not give any certainty about his 24th season and whether he will continue playing next year.
LBJ is in the final year of his contract with the Purple and Gold, so his continuity not only in the league but also on the team is uncertain.
Meanwhile, James and the Lakers are preparing to host the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena this Saturday, February 21.
