Nakasendo hike questions regarding food

So my partner and I are looking at doing an extended nakasendo hike. I have been to Japan twice already and her once. Ive done ryokan before in shirakawa go and I love them but we just can't do the meals. Not for lack of trying but i can finish about 50% at most and i feel really bad. I enjoy many aspects of japanese food and its my favourite country for food but i just cant do it. I realize Im in the wrong.

We want to do a multiday hike and i find japaneseguesehouses.com to be useless as both times for shirakawa I had to call the town myself to get anything done. We just want to use the ryokans without wasting their food on us...I wouldnt expect a reduced price.

Does anyone know of a means to do this, i have researched a bit and never get the info i need. Which is.. Is there markets along the way and will any accommodations let me refuse the meal.