Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has opened up about the 'dopamine diet' that helped him shed 11 stone. The 30-stone chef, known for appearances on the Great British Menu and MasterChef, transformed his health by making healthier versions of his favourite meals rather than cutting them out entirely.
The dopamine diet, also called the 'happy' weight loss plan, aims to boost mood by increasing levels of the 'happy hormone' while losing weight. Kerridge shared his top ingredients on Instagram, including full-fat dairy products like cheese, cottage cheese, yoghurt and double cream.
He recommended oily fish such as salmon, sea bass and mackerel for their omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Fruit, often avoided in other diets, is encouraged by Kerridge as a better alternative to chocolate, with favourites including apples, bananas, blueberries and watermelon.
Nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts are also on his list, along with green vegetables for their iron content, which he says increases dopamine levels. Kerridge advises buying well-sourced meat, such as grass-fed beef and free-range poultry.
Finally, he suggests adding chillies and spices to recipes, which release endorphins. Kerridge's book, The Dopamine Diet, is now available in paperback, and his show Lose Weight and Get Fit with Tom Kerridge airs on BBC Two.
