I have enjoyed long conversations and orientations with all of the HOs I’ve met in person. But I would probably have declined had I been invited to join them for a meal-- I have specific food preferences. I could just as easily have been considered to be the rude one.
Again I say, never assume. And why make the judgment that they are rude if they don’t invite you? Every home is its own subculture.
It’s actually not about food, but about whether a sitter is made to feel welcomed. At least that was the focus of their thread.
To speak to your point: Your declining might or might not seem rude. For instance, they’d be asking to have a chance to get to know you, to welcome you — it’s not really about food. So for instance, if you wanted to decline in a friendly way, you could say, I appreciate the invitation, but I have an unusual diet, so I’d be happy to join you and chat over a drink (or coffee, tea or whatever). Versus there are rude ways to decline as well.
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It’s good to hear you enjoyed the rest of the sit but, you awarded 5 stars for hospitality 
Hey-ho! 
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I’m late to reply but agree with everyone - so rude!
I’d give them 1 star for the hospitality rating.
One host ordered takeaway for her and her boyfriend without offering me any. I had just traveled from London to Portland and was starving.
Another HO told me to drop my bags and come back in 2 hours, after I had just told her I’d been awake all night at the airport (airport hotel malfunction!). When I returned she didn’t even offer me a water/ tea. I was gobsmacked.
Some people are just rude.
TG there’s now a hospitality rating! Was waiting for that for years.
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