I actually didn't try to use the food during the combat. I assumed because it wasn't in the hotbar, you couldn't.

But I sure used it AFTER the fights to save my potions.... I considered it compensation for all the cheap firebombing and fire arrow spamming going on. ;P

Okay, okay, and I was VERY amused by the fact that I could make the Vampire character eat VEGETABLES to regain health. grin hahaha