Close-up of a cheeseburgerFor years now, we've been resting easy in the knowledge that sticking to the recommended number of calories each day would leave us healthy in mind and body.

But scientists now say that we could be being too hard on ourselves and depriving ourselves for no good reason.

In a draft report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), experts have suggested that the guidelines (2,000 calories for women and 2,500 for men each day) could be increased by 16 per cent.

And that's a cheeseburger, or two extra packets of crisps, to you and me.

Apparently, and this will definitely take you by surprise, nutritionists believe they have underestimated the levels of physical activity in Britain and thereby set the energy intake too low.

However, though the report suggests a more accurate calculation of a healthy calorie intake, some are concerned that it will send out the wrong message in the fight against obesity.

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said it was a "dangerous assumption" to announce that adults can wolf down an extra 400 calories a day.

Just to make it clear, he told the Telegraph: "This is not a green light to eat yourself silly."

Though the draft proposal is due for a 14-week consultation before final recommendations are made, we could soon see those red or amber traffic lights turning to green.