Minecraft wiki entry for Beginner%27s_guide, associated text: Note that if you are staying at full health, and not fighting, sprinting and/or jumping a lot, swimming long distances or mining many blocks, then you use almost no food. Walking at normal speed does not use up food (neither does sneaking). Neither does crafting, and even mining and placing blocks use only a tiny amount per block. Thus, if your character has a secure place to stay, even if you've started to get hungry, you can just stay put to conserve food while waiting out the night, a storm, or crop/animal growth.