I don't understand how there's food issues for long rests.... there's so much in the game it's not funny.
Exactly my point.
Even break them down into barrels per type (meat/fruit/veg/fish/etc) the biggest problem with long rests at the moment is lack of levels so you need to expend more each fight and require them back for the next. Food is not the issue, level 4 is.
Ok, I can assume that according to you the game is "too hard" for level 4 characters.
What would it solve if we reached level 5 ? We "could" create a more restrictive rule in our head ? What is solved ? The resting system would still be an "as you will" rule.
Considering you need to rest every time you use an illithid power to progress that storyline the last suggestion is a joke.
This is something else.