That would make it a lot easier.
Here are two things I do to avoid dying in panic because I can’t eat: I keep the food close to the weapon and pickaxe. On PC, each inventory slot has a hot key which can also help select it quickly when you always put it in the same spot. You can also select an item on the inventory screen and use it immediately when you close it. That helps sort through in a save mode (unless in multiplayer).