Personally I've never understood how someone can just forget to eat- I love food so trying to figure this out just leaves me stumped......if I can be quite honest, when I hear that I think it's often an excuse, that possibly there is a problem.....I could be way off the mark, don't mean to offend you or your friend- just a thought.
I can see what you mean about feeling like you should eat less that a man, I have that ingrained in me, too. Look at it this way, although you may eat more and eat more often- you're eating smarter and you are more than likely much healthier on the inside in comparison to your other half and your work friends etc... I have a female friend who is about 5'8 and 112 lbs, she is very slender as you can imagine.....this woman never eats any set meals, she eats when she is hungry, she lives on junk food, I'm talking about cans of Beefaroini, fast food, beer and cigarettes *gags*......and while she may be much more slender in comparison to myself, I would bet my life I'm much healthier. Don't beat yourself up, 1500 is a good amount, in my eyes. Those around you should take a leaf out of your book. Btw, a massive congratulations on being so close to goal!!!