In the 1970 and the 1992 editions of the book, Atkins did not subtract fiber carbs. In the 1999 edition (blue cover) he decided to subtract the fibre grams from the total carb count. (Protein Power Plan had done that in their books in the 1990's.) Atkins continues to subtract fibre from total carbs in the latest 2002 - red cover- edition.

So now, you can read labels and see total carbohydrates given as one number. Then below and indented, the fibre count is given. So you can subtract the fibre number from the carb number and the lower number is the Effective Carb Count or ECC.

Please try to assume that any mentor answering someone's questions wants to be of help and is not patronizing or trying to put someone down. The written word is very easy to misunderstand as we have only the words and not the smiles, or body language, or tones of voice as in a telephone conversation.

Many people turn up here with only the sketchiest idea of what Atkins is all about and want everything explained right away. As it turns out that it has been several years since you read Atkins, it was not an unreasonable suggestion that you read the book. Since no one knows another person's financial state here, no slight was intended.

This board is a pretty peaceful place most of the time, thanks to the Moderators who maintain it. Flaming (or yelling in capital letters) is not desirable behaviour between members. I hope things can cool down now and go on from here.