Extra cheeseburger a day allowed

By Lucy Halfhead  on Monday 16 November 2009

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Fancy an extra couple of packets of crisps a day? Well you may soon be able to yet still stay within calorie guidelines.

According to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, the government's guidelines of 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men are too low. People could eat 16 per cent more – around 400 calories – without putting on weight, they say.

This is the equivalent to a cheeseburger, or two packets of crisps.

The new guidelines, which are subject to consultation before becoming recommendations, were the result of researchers reassessing how fat is burned off after exercise.

However, some health campaigners are concerned these guidelines may be taken as a green light to eat more by people who are already overweight, reports the Guardian. A projected 13 million people will be obese by 2012 – a third of the population.

The researchers emphasise that people should only eat more if they also exercise more.

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Monday 16 November 2009

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