You don't even have to eat less, just different. Good luck physically consuming an entire chicken, a dozen eggs, and 3 lbs of broccoli in one day. You managed to do that? 2.5k calories. When you cut out most carb sources that aren't fruit from your diet it gets physically difficult to eat a high number of calories.  But add some dressing and BeetusBQ sauce and yeah, You're pushing 4k again.