the foodReviveList config option adds foods that revive you and reset your down counter. (I'm assuming this is intentional but it doesn't seem to be explicitly mentioned anywhere but the code)
the foodHealList config option adds foods that just reset your down counter.
It would be nice if there was a config for foods that just revive you, too.

Alternatively, a config option could be added to prevent the down-resetting code here and here when a foodReviveList item is eaten.

Yea sure, I'll add that at some point in the near future. Maybe like an "adrenalineFood" option or something. To clarify to a given user that it's meant to get you up but not necessarily be restorative

The config for this is foodAdrenalineList, available in 1.9.3. You'll either need to add it manually to the config or delete the file to generate a fresh config with it added.