Experts suggest that people should stop counting calories and rather focus on the kind of food they are eating to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other health problems, according to a study.

National food guide proposes men need around 2500 calories a day and women 2000 calories. Dr. Aseem Malhotra, one of the authors, and an NHS cardiologist and public health campaigner, said that not all calories are the same. He also criticized the UK's national food guide - the "eatwell plate" - as unhelpful for saying a can of cola could be part of a balanced diet.

Malhotra further added that a can of cola a day, at 150 calories is linked with a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes but 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day, at around 500 calories, has been shown to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Experts believed that poor diet was responsible for more disease and death than physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol.  They further stated that it was time to stop counting calories and time to instead promote good nutrition and dietary changes which can rapidly and substantially reduce cardiovascular mortality.

The study is published in the Journal Open Heart.

By Lizitha