Like most things in the game there could be an option that allows you to set the significance of food and/or drink in the game. From "optional" to "do or die", for instance. And while I think Valheim's system is good for it I don't see that system working in 7DTD without some significant re-balancing.
But, ultimately, I suspect this will have to be another area to be modded to taste, so to speak, since there are so many differing opinions.