From reading the many postings it appears that it is necessary to keep the calorie count up so as not to go into starvation mode. What happens though when your food is mostly low calory. I can happily eat vegetables all day, but even with the protein and fat I eat my calorie count doesn't really go high.

What is most important - that I continue to eat my 5 meals a day with a lowish calorie count (averaging between 850 and 1100) or that I make myself eat different foods (that I really don't want to eat) to increase the calorie content.

Does my body know the difference between a full stomach of mostly empty calories and a mostly empty stomach of high calorie food?

There are things you can do to up your calorie count pretty easily. Eat half an avacado every day, put butter on your food, eat a small handful of nuts, etc.

Just get some high calorie - low carb items into your diet.

I eat pork rinds, nuts, eggs, beef sticks and string cheese when I need an easy 100-300 calories.

Your stomach may not know the difference but your liver will. Fats & proteins which are very nutrient dense keep the blood sugar more stable than a stomach full of few calories.

What's a good calorie count to be at for my weight? Anyone know? I've been trying to eat around 1600-1800. I was losing around 1200-1400 though, so am I better off with less or more? So confused!

Both those ranges sound fine - ie I think you can go as low as 1200 or as high as 1800. I wouldn't go any less then 1200 or any much more then 1800 though.

generally, to LOSE weight is said to be 10-12 times your current weight, although this is a bit skewed towards either end of the spectrum at 144 it is a good guide: 1400 cals-1600 ish - or smack between your two given ranges!!!

There is no hard and fast rule. Eat within 1200-1800 according to hunger and what feels best for you.

I am consuming between 900 and 1100 which I know is a bit on the low side. Unfortunately I am still not really comfortable about eating the amount of fat I do. I realise it is years of fat being bad that is causing this but it is not easy to turn it around quickly. I can happily eat half an avocado or a handful of nuts but don't feel really happy about eating the full avocado or 2 handfuls of nuts just to get the calories up. Also of course I need to find high calorie but low carb food.

I certainly do appreciate people's comments.

Alex123, fat always has been and always will be your friend.

Good ways to increase it are as follows:
Always use full-fat mayo
1/4 Cup (this is one good-sized handful) of nuts has around 280 calories. That alone would give you quite a boost and make a great snack.
Add olives, cheese and sunflower seeds to your salads
Have a few berries with cream on them.
Sautee your veggies in olive oil and butter.
Eat boiled eggs mashed with butter on them.
Sautee mushrooms in butter to go with the eggs.
Use low-carb bread and make skillet toast occasionally. Skillet toast is buttered on both sides, then fried.
Eat the fats on your meats.

It's pretty easy to up your calories and in the long run much better for your body.

I'm having the same problem too, sortof. Except I feel like I'm eating too many calories. Yesterday I had about 2200! I'm used to eating 1300-1500 before Atkins. My carbs have stayed at 20 everyday. But could I gain w/ such a high calorie count? You know, I could probably answer my own question. I started Atkins Sunday and I've already lost 6 lbs!