Under Level 6 and Hungry? Guess I'll die.

Am I mistaken, or does the xp loss protection while under level 6 mean there is no reason consume food and water, when I can instead just die and respawn with 90% full bars, and no other consequence?

I know it wouldn't be a long term strategy, but it'd be super helpful to just stockpile food and water in the early game, when resources are scarcest.