I'm not saying my way works for everyone, but I got sick of stuffing my face with "healthy food" and getting no where. You are correct, i don't "have to" eat it, but it sure is easier. I eat every 2-3 hours, averaging around 5-6 meals a day. Sometimes more if I'm hungry. Breakfast is around 1500 cals, others around around 800-1000 each. Problem is, like I said new job, I'm on the road ALL day. If I don't have time to pack a huge lunch, then at most I can get a couple quick sandwichs thrown together.
T-bones, Ribeyes, Porterhouse are all between 8-9 a pound here unless I catch them on sale, which I stock up on. College Station, Tx. Sirloin ~3.99lb, GB 2.49lb, flank steak don't remember.
I don't consider Fast Food a meal, it is simply a means to an end. If I had been gaining weight on my last diet, I wouldn't have added it. But, I will do anything I have to, to get the scale moving. Sure, I put on a little more fat than necessary, but I've merely gone from 170lbs @ 31" to 203lbs @ 33". Nothing I am terribly concerned about.