Which CMS regulation states the facility must provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable diet?

The correct choice points to F800, which requires long-term care facilities to provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable diet that meets their nutritional needs. This regulation focuses on ensuring that the dietary offerings are not only sufficient in quantity and quality but also enjoyable and culturally appropriate for each resident, adhering to the principles of person-centered care.

This regulation underscores the importance of tailored dietary support to promote the overall health and well-being of residents, thereby addressing their diverse dietary preferences and medical conditions. By mandating a nourishing and palatable diet, the regulation emphasizes the role of nutrition in enhancing the quality of life for older adults in care facilities.

Other regulations, while also important, may cover different aspects of care or nutrition but do not specifically address the requirement for a palatable and nourishing diet in the same comprehensive way as F800 does. Therefore, F800 is fundamental in guiding facilities to meet the dietary needs and preferences of their residents effectively.