Section 350.1870  Scheduling Meals

a)         A minimum of three meals or their equivalent shall be served daily at regular times with no more than a 14 hour span between a substantial evening meal and breakfast.  The 14 hour span shall not apply to facilities using the "four or five meals-a-day" plan, provided the evening meal is substantial and includes, but is not limited to, a good quality protein, bread or bread substitute, butter or margarine, a dessert and a nourishing beverage.

b)         Bedtime snacks of nourishing quality shall be offered.  Snacks of nourishing quality shall be offered between meals when there is a time span of four or more hours between the ending of one meal and the serving of the next, or as otherwise indicated in the resident's plan of care.

c)         If a resident refuses food served, reasonable and nutritionally appropriate substitutions shall be served.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 13910, effective September 1, 1992)