Never had this issue before even when i chose to not accept the lake healing, i usually just stock up on food at the inn with the money i won from the brothel quest + killing the quetzal goddess. That's enough to carry me around the map even with a full party
Really! In the past the food at the inn was I think 8 stacks of 8 food, so like 64 non-renewable food? So I never bothered in favor of saving up for the stat gear. Good to know though, I'll give it a shot on my next run to see if it makes a difference.
Wait does having a full party increase the amount of food you use?? Maybe that's my problem because I get the squad together every time.