According to law, (42 CFR § 483.25) the following nutritional and dietary rights must be met for residents:
Dietary Services
The facility must provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well balanced diet that meets the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident. Substitutes must be offered of similar nutritive value to residents who refuse food service. Therapeutic diets must be prescribed by the attending physician when needed. Sufficient fluids must be given to maintain proper hydration and health.
Frequency of Meals
Each resident receives and the facility provides at least three meals daily, at regular times comparable to normal mealtimes in the community. There must be no more than 14 hours between a substantial evening meal and breakfast the following day, except as provided in (4) below. The facility must offer snacks at bedtime daily. When a nourishing snack is provided at bedtime, up to 16 hours may elapse between a substantial evening meal and breakfast the following day if a resident group agrees to this meal span, and a nourishing snack is served.