Across England, diners will now see additions to menus as calorie counts will be added. 

The rule only applies to restaurants, cafes, and takeaways with more than 250 staff and they must print the number of calories on each meal on their websites, menus, and delivery. 

The news comes as part of the government's plan to tackle obesity by encouraging people to make healthier choices as they say it costs the NHS an estimated £6.1 billion a year to deal with obesity-related conditions.

But there has been a concern, with restaurants fearing an increase in their costs, and eating disorders charity saying it could create serious problems for those battling with their eating habits. 

Bournemouth Echo: Menus will now have calories counts. (Canva)Menus will now have calories counts. (Canva)

With the eating disorder charity Beat, director of external affairs Tom Quinn said: "We know from the people we support that including calories on menus can contribute to harmful eating disorder thoughts and behaviours worsening."

Adding that: "Beat has continually asked the Government to consider the impact on people affected by eating disorders and to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies.

"This should involve consulting eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience at every stage of the process."

However, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said that the new rule will see more positive outcomes:

"Obesity is one of the biggest health issues we face as a country and clear food labelling plays an important role in helping people make healthier choices for themselves and their families."

But they did also say that there is an option for customers to not have calories on the menu saying that: "regulations will also allow businesses to provide menus without calorie information at the request of the customer."