Don Saladino, the personal trainer behind Ryan Reynolds’s and Blake Lively’s physiques, is no stranger to structure and discipline. At 47, he has made a name for himself in the fitness world by helping A-listers achieve peak performance and aesthetics.
His approach involves a meticulously planned five-meal-a-day diet that balances nutrition, boosts energy, and optimizes results. “You’re probably not going to ever meet anyone who’s more into this than I am”, he told Business Insider. His philosophy is simple but powerful: track what you eat, and your body will thank you.
A diet built for success
Saladino’s five meals a day aren’t just about quantity but quality. His plates are carefully curated to include the right mix of protein, fiber, carbs, and healthy fats. He also incorporates fermented foods like sauerkraut to support gut health.
For Saladino, food is an opportunity to fine-tune his body and mind. One possible structure for his meals is the following:
- Breakfast: Greek yogurt, blueberries, whey protein, milled flax seeds, cinnamon, oats, and almond butter.
- Meal 2: Chicken breast, broccoli, sweet potato, and sauerkraut with olive oil and apple cider vinegar.
- Pre-workout meal: White rice, egg whites, whole eggs, and baby carrots.
- Post-workout meal: Whey protein, almond butter, and Cream of Rice.
- Dinner: Lean beef, rice, zucchini, sauerkraut, and walnuts.
Each meal is a masterclass in balance, designed to support his active lifestyle and physique goals. Saladino’s focus on fiber is as intentional as his attention to macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
Why track your food?
While not every day demands strict tracking, Saladino leans on this practice to stay consistent. “Why do I do this?”, he asked. “Is it because I want to take my shirt off and look a certain way? Sure. Is it because I want my energy levels to be really high? Absolutely. Is it because I want my sleep quality to improve? Yes”.
He even undergoes annual body scans and tests to monitor how dietary and lifestyle changes impact his body. “Now I’m dialing in my macros to try and drive body fat down while I’m increasing muscle”, he explained.
One major advantage of tracking is that it ensures he eats enough. Without keeping tabs, Saladino often under-eats, making it harder to maintain muscle mass. By tracking his intake, he eliminates the guesswork and ensures his diet aligns with his goals.
While his diet may seem intense, Saladino insists it’s not a burden. “This has become really fun for me. This isn’t work”. he said. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t indulge occasionally. “I went to my family’s last night and had a bowl of pasta the size of my head”, he admitted. But he knows his limits.
For Saladino, consistency leads to perfection. His structured diet and training regimen help him stay at the top of his game. While the average person might not need his level of discipline, his approach offers a valuable lesson: when you measure what you eat, you set yourself up for success. In Saladino’s world, health and fitness aren’t just goals, they’re a lifestyle. And for his clients, including Hollywood stars, that’s a recipe for lasting results.