Looks like some experienced west coasters are still posting here. This is my post from the Introcuce Yourself Forum.

My wife and I just started yesterday.

The Atkins site is down it seems so the FAQ thing is not an option.

Basic question: what do you count and not count? I have a bit of trouble with Dr. A's writing style.

Do you count the carbs in the veggies?
In the cheese?
In eggs or meat products?
Of course count the sweetener for my now decaffinated coffee, although my cyclmate is only 0.5g, I decided to experiment with Splenda (2 to 3 x $) and Stevia (no mention of Stevia on either this host site or Atkins). Both of those show zero, do I need to restrict them still?
And what about Mayo? No mention in the "Acceptable Foods" article, but it seems it's "Ga'head" in "The Rules of Induction". (Mayo egg and hot sauce just save me tonight.)

My loved one has threatened to abandon LC and go back to WW. We just had a little scrap because I erred and bought some cottage cheese and told her it was allowed ... she'll be OK as long as she counts the carbs (4.2g or something) and doesn't go over 20 for the day, RIGHT? The "discussion" was really about the fact that I couldn't answer the foregoing questions.

Thanks to anyone who has some fast definitive answers.

Dez