Library: Policy

340:110-3-154.4. Food and nutrition

Revised 9-14-24

(a) Menu planning.  Menus are planned at least one week in advance.  Menus are dated, posted, and   maintained for 12 months.  Substitutions are  documented on the menu.

(b)  Meal frequency and quality.  Meals meet the residents' nutritional needs.

(1) The program provides or arranges for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and one or more snacks from food  selected, stored, prepared, and served in a sanitary  manner.   On weekends and holidays, programs may make mealtime exceptions provided all residents' nutritional needs are met.

(2) Each meal contains a sufficient amount  for every resident and additional servings are available .

(3) Cool,  safe drinking water is available at all times.

(c) Special diets.   Programs recognize residents' religious, cultural, and health needs when planning, preparing, and serving food.

(1) The program  provides, as necessary,  alternate food  choices due to special diets or religious beliefs.

(2) The program follows individualized diets and feeding schedules prescribed by the resident's licensed physician.

(d) Meals.   Programs recognize residents' social and emotional needs during mealtime.

(1) Residents and  personnel eating  together are served the same food, with the exception of tea and coffee, unless differences exist in age or special dietary needs .

(2) Personnel only eat in front of residents during meal or snack times.

(3) Residents  are not embarrassed or  ridiculed for food or utensil etiquette.