The actual point for me isn't so much that I need the game to prevent me from long resting too much. It's that short rest is pointless in the game currently. I hardly ever use it and have to force myself to because I CAN long rest instead without an issue and the long rest benefits are better.
It's also that I can long rest and burning buildings don't burn out, tadpole changes never start, the ritual never ends, enemies never notice you killed the guards at the gate, etc.
It's also that long rest is promoted by characters even though I haven't hardly adventured. They're tired after 5 minutes of exploring.
It's also that food is meaningless and doesn't really limit anything. It's just pointless additional item management.
