Until now you may have associated dopamine with the huge adrenaline rush that accompanies addictive behaviours like gambling and extreme sports. That euphoric feeling, the supercharged dose of excitement and carefree happiness that gets people hooked and well, in trouble. Surely, we shouldn’t be trying to increase dopamine production, right?

Tom Kerridge weight loss: How he stays in shape after losing Tom Kerridge weight loss: How he stays in shape after losing

Remove from the oven and immediately grate the Parmesan over the top. Scatter over the basil and serve at once, directly from the pan. Alongside serotonin and acetylcholine, dopamine is one of the key neurotransmitters - brain chemicals responsible for signalling between neurons (brain cells) and various cells throughout our bodies. It directly impacts a variety of physiological functions i.e. movement and motor reactions as well as psychological functions like mood, pleasure and joy. So, what happens when we are a little low on dopamine?And it could help to fight fatigue and boost energy levels, according to Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at SuperfoodUK.com. There are more of them that will embrace and understand it, and probably join you on the journey than you think. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I'm no different to anybody else. I just decided I needed to do something, and that's the difference."

Dopamine: How what we eat impacts our brain chemistry Dopamine: How what we eat impacts our brain chemistry

Wang GJ, Volkow ND, Thanos PK, Fowler JS. Imaging of brain dopamine pathways: implications for understanding obesity. J Addict Med. 2009;3(1):8-18. doi:10.1097/ADM.0b013e31819a86f7 Medical University of Vienna. "Dopamine: Far more than just the 'happy hormone'." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 August 2016. . Although it initially provides a dopamine boost (hence its addictive nature), regular consumption leads to decreased dopamine levels amongst other negative health consequences. One more reason to consider a sugar detox - your brain will thank you for it! Pour in the beef consommé and stir in the mustard. Turn the heat up to medium-high, bring to the boil and add the mushrooms. Cook until the sauce is reduced to a rich glaze, then lower the heat and stir in the crème fraîche. Season with salt and pepper. But he’s not giving up and is going to impressive lengths to ensure he doesn’t lose his battle with the booze.I think we did, but we’re coming out of it. More people are understanding the provenance, history and heritage of food. And from Sainsbury’s magazine to Great British Menu to farmers’ markets, people are being encouraged to realise food isn’t just a source of fuel, but of entertainment and enjoyment. When I was 18, we used to hang around a park smoking and drinking. Now, 18-year-olds are wandering around with a gym bag and a protein shake. What they’re doing is so different. I don’t think it’s a fad – it’s through knowledge. Bone broth has been labelled as one of the top food trends for 2017 - but what exactly does it claim to do? Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6. Place the lamb mince in a large roasting tin and roast, stirring three of four times to break up the mince, for 35-40 minutes until dark brown. It should look like instant coffee granules. Bake the merguez sausages in another roasting tin, alongside the lamb, for 10-15 minutes until cooked through. So, what could you be doing to give your dopamine levels a boost? 1. Eat more dopamine-boosting foods

TOM KERRIDGE’S DOPAMINE DIET (2017) - TOM KERRIDGE

Low levels of dopamine impact our enthusiasm and drive and lead to feelings of apathy, fatigue, procrastination, low libido, memory issues and inability to concentrate and complete tasks. To cook the beans, melt the butter in a pan over a medium-high heat. Add a good splash of water and some salt and pepper. Tip in the green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes until they are just tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the yoghurt and chopped mint. Gently spread the tomato sauce all over the omelette. Cover with the pepperoni, then tear the mozzarella into pieces and scatter it over. The dopamine diet has recently been a big hit in the mainstream media thanks to celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’s book of the same title. Whilst it’s definitely a good thing to bring awareness to the subject, the downside is that it focuses almost exclusively on weight loss as the main goal. The diet limits carbohydrate consumption to 90g per day and promotes the intake of lean protein from unprocessed meats, eggs and dairy, healthy fats and tyrosine-rich foods.He quit booze, took up swimming and started following the dopamine diet and lost a whopping 12 stone in five years. It’s a savoury liquid made from the bones of meat or fish, and while it can be eaten alone, it is most commonly used to prepare other dishes such as soups, gravies and sauces.