Nadia Sawalha spoke about how calorie counting led her to obesity as she debated the government's move to put calorie information on menus on Loose Women on Friday.
Changes introduced in England last week mean it is now a legal requirement for businesses with more than 250 people to display calorie information for food and soft drinks which are not pre-packed – with the change impacting cafes, restaurants and takeaways.
The presenter, 57, strongly opposed the initiative aimed to crack down on obesity as she told the panel how she was a "victim" of counting calories for many years.
Nadia talked about her calculating her calories ended up with her being overweight after Lady Leshurr, whose real name is Melesha Katrina O'Garro, said she struggles with putting on weight.
Nadia said: "I'm so against this. Having been someone for many years who was a victim, and I do say victim, of calorie counting for many years.
"I can still remember the calories in almost anything, you can ask me something and I'll be able to tell you [clicks fingers]. I would be making crazy decisions.
"It's about nutrient dense food [not calories]. A burger might have 100 less calories than something healthy ... so I'd be choosing the burger.
"Do you know where calorie counting led me? To obesity."
Meanwhile Lady Leshurr said: "I reckon the waiters in every restaurant should come through with like, 'do you want a calories menu or no calories menu?' so you don't get to see it if you don't want to.
"Because, for me, it's like I know someone that is very like, 'Oh I can't have that and that and I can't drink tonight because then I'm gonna have to go to the gym', it gives me anxiety but then I'm the opposite because I'm trying to put on weight," she continued.
At that point, the rest of the panel were heard gasping as Sunetra Sarker replied: "What?!"
"Look at me! How can you question what? Look at me! My clothes are falling off me!" Lady Leshurr joked.
She then explained: "In general, I don't ever look at what I'm eating and I've got a fast metabolism, which is good."
Lady Leshurr went on to say that sometimes people call her a "lucky bugger" for being able to eat what she wants, but she then stressed: "I really do want to put on weight!"
