Which would you rather be?
0-0-0 but behind 3 levels and 100 cs with the enemy constantly trying to zone you out or 0-5-0 but only behind 1 level and 20 cs, since the enemy you fed started roaming and getting super fed.
I think I would go with the former if I am playing a champion that doesn't require scaling to be useful. If I am playing a champion that requires farm to be relevant, then I am screwed regardless.