Lukaku: Mediterranean cuisine improves my physical performance

Romelu Lukaku's athleticism and physicality were never in doubt, his superior appearance and strength from an early age even became a meme. But throughout his career, it looked like he struggled to control the power he had at his disposal. The Belgian striker is currently experiencing the best season of his career, guiding Inter to a new Scudetto. His movement, control and body language on the pitch look much more sophisticated and he believes it is down to nutrition - Mediterranean diet of salad, fish, chicken and pasta.

The 27-year-old admitted to being out-of-shape and overweight while at Manchester United but there have been no such concerns as he thrives for Inter Milan.

He revealed a nutritionist told him his digestive system had 'stopped working' at Old Trafford but on arrival in Milan he was presented with a diet plan of foods carefully selected for him by the club's medical staff.

Lukaku has 18 goals in Serie A alone this season, helping fire Inter close to a first league title in a decade and he has put his success down to his improved physique.

The striker also feels that the diet - which can see him eat two plates of Gnocchi pasta on a matchday - has improved his endurance and made him faster.

'Since I joined Inter I have changed my diet and I can say that I have never felt so strong,' Lukaku said, as per Sky Sport Italia. 'My diet consists of salads for lunch, a lot of chicken breast, Shirataki pasta.

'I don't change my way of eating much, for how we play we must have a very strong physique, we run a lot: since I have followed this lifestyle I feel better on the pitch, I feel more reactive and faster.'

When he first arrived at the club Lukaku eliminated potatoes, fried food and alcohol in a bid to trim down and he lost half a stone on that regime. The strict nature of the diet has eased up somewhat since but it has not been to the detriment of performances on the pitch.

Lukaku in 2014

Twenty four goals and seven assists in 33 games so far of the season is an impressive return with arguments made that Lukaku is currently the best striker in Europe.

'I love carbohydrates and I love potatoes, sweet potatoes and black rice, but I don't eat a lot of pasta,' he continued, confessing he is passionate about Italian cuisine even if he is unable to truly indulge in it.

'I've always been an explosive player with muscles but Italy took me to another level. I have never felt so strong. I have reached another level, physically and mentally.

'I consume a lot of carbohydrates after games. Most of the time I eat two packs of Gnocchi, it depends on what the chef has prepared. They go into circulation quickly and they help me a lot.'

Inter boss Antonio Conte has played a key role in players' diet plans although not all of his advice is backed up by Inter's nutritionists. Conte has urged players to eat bresaola (air-dried salted beef) but the club's nutritionists have made the diet imposed on the players even richer. Salad, fish, chicken and Shirataki pasta are Lukaku's main foods but it is Italian Gnocchi that is a personal favourite,

'After the matches I also eat two plates of gnocchi!' he added.

Lukaku operates on a very specific diet, a diet capable of improving his muscle mass, speed as well as his endurance.

'Since I was here at Inter we have done an analysis of my physique and a lot has changed. I also take vitamins', Lukaku said in a podcast with Matteo Pincella, Inter's chief nutritionist.

Chelsea took Lukaku under their wing intending for then young dominant striker to replace Didier Drogba. Lukaku struggled to impose himself at Stamford Bridge and was sent on loans to WBA and Everton. The Toffees from Liverpool eventually bought Lukaku off due to his great performances at Goodinson Park. In 2017, Manchester United signed Lukaku but his statistics at Old Trafford lacked consistency. In 2019, Inter acquired Lukaku's services and now the Belgian is blossoming in Milan.

Is it the food, the weather, changing the league altogether, the maturity...? Probably all of those. But given the meticulous approach to nutrition Lukaku has taken and the consistency in contributing on the pitch, we can only agree that his eating habits made a huge impact on his results.