I don’t rest often in the game - makes it more challenging but realistic for me. I do use the food but outside of combat should be added - I just self police this.
The game is pretty easy due to Larian combat mechanics. I can reach the end of EA with about four long rests, less if I heavily use food to heal myself. I can clear up to the blighted village except the ogres and spiders without resting at all. The only time I use a long rest is after a big fight (ie hag, matriarch, gith, minotaurs...etc) but even some of those, I can muscle my way through. Healing food, height advantage, lots of special arrows, tons of scrolls, and explosives really break the game.
