Some of it could be hand waved as not wanting to bring more attention to himself than necessary. Humans need to eat, he appears to be human, it’s easier all around to act the part, then the acting becomes habit.
So he does it while pouring over documents, in a basement, where no one sees him. Or the iirc large amount of food he ate and mead he drank in the Hobbit after a day out. Doesn’t add up.
I remember a scene with Gandalf eating while researching the ring in Gondor’s library. And he ate heartily in the Hobbit book after a long day.
Some of it could be hand waved as not wanting to bring more attention to himself than necessary. Humans need to eat, he appears to be human, it’s easier all around to act the part, then the acting becomes habit.
So he does it while pouring over documents, in a basement, where no one sees him. Or the iirc large amount of food he ate and mead he drank in the Hobbit after a day out. Doesn’t add up.
Tolkien absolutely would have Maiar eat and drink for pleasure.
He smoked for pleasure. I’m sure he ate and drank for pleasure.