If you strictly follow the book , you won't have to worry about carbs. When people say carbs do count , they're not following the book.I've been doing what the book says and not counting carbs and still losing. I'm down to 175 now. If you start changing the diet your way to count carbs , you're back on Atkins so why confuse people who really want to do this diet with all this carb counting confusion.If you follow portions , you won't have any problem. Keep the GOOD advice coming.Wawtigress