Don't have solution for early game to be honest. Just struggle I guess. Leather, aka Hunter's aka Survival armor set gives you 11 survival status points, not traits. It will increase food spawn rate, but you will not receive access to crafting. So like... farm rabbits and cook generic meat soup.
Me personally right now is level 70 abomination. Never cook a single meal. In cities just sleep inside Inn. In wilds kill and "eat" anything that moving.
- Bloodlust + Bloody Mess - every kill gives you 3 food
- Desecrate - eat corpse and heals HP and Stamina
When you are traveling there will be always monster/bandits free food, that will comes to you