Ok forget about the different changes for a while......
what if certain items could impart temporary abilities e.g
You eat say dwarven bread....and you get the ability to tunnel underground....this can be good if you want to sneak up/pass an enemy unnoticed...say this ability lasts for 1 minute after which you will automaically surface.
If you eat elves grain...you can climb trees and scout the area.
If you combine say a reptiles bone and chese..you get a flying potion which temporarily allows you to grow wings...imagine you are about to fight an orc and you drink the potion...fly around him shooting arrows while he heads for cover/runs away!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
