What must each meal provided in a residential care facility include?

In a residential care facility, it is essential that each meal provided includes items from all four basic food groups. This is important for ensuring a well-rounded and balanced diet for residents, who may have varied nutritional needs due to age, health conditions, or activity levels.

The four basic food groups include fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins (which encompasses meat, dairy, legumes, and other protein sources). Including all four ensures that meals are nutritionally adequate and help meet the dietary recommendations necessary for maintaining the health and well-being of residents. Such an approach not only helps in providing essential nutrients but also promotes overall dietary diversity, which is crucial in preventing dietary deficiencies.

Having meals that incorporate all categories helps to foster better health outcomes, supports immune function, and improves the overall quality of life for residents in these care settings. This is why focusing on all four food groups is considered the best practice in meal planning for residential care facilities.