Foods that YOU Love That Love YOU Back

Eating well is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Whether you are a patient, visitor or caregiver, Cleveland Clinic is dedicated to providing evidence-based healthy food options. A healthy diet can help decrease chronic illness, disabilities and reduce the costs of health care in the communities we serve.

In 2018, Cleveland Clinic launched the Foods that YOU Love That Love YOU Back program. This program focuses on providing foods and beverages that are healthy and delicious.

Phase I of this program targeted the reduction and/or elimination of the following items in prepared and/or sold food and drink items at all Cleveland Clinic facilities: Trans Fat, Fried Foods, High Fructose Corn Syrup and Beverages with Added Sugar or Syrup.

This is just the first step in an ongoing process to ensure patients, visitors and caregivers are making the healthiest food selections possible. Our goal is to reduce or eliminate all food and drink offerings containing the below items by 2020.

For questions or comments, email [email protected]

Special Diets: For those needing special or therapeutic diets, please contact your dietitian or visit: Nutrition Therapy

Reducing/Removing from Our Offerings

Trans Fat

Why: Trans fat raises LDL (Bad) cholesterol, lowers HDL (Good) cholesterol, and causes insulin resistance, all of which increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Status: Launched 3/2018

Fried Foods

Why: Fried foods are linked to cancers of the breast, lung, pancreas, head and neck, prostate, and esophagus.

Status: Launched 3/2018

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Why: High-fructose corn syrup or equivalent (found in beverages and packaged foods) increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Status: Launched 3/2018

Beverages with Added Sugar or Syrup

Why: Added sugar increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high triglycerides (a type of cholesterol), skin wrinkles, impotence, stroke and heart attacks. Exceptions are flavored milk and Core Power Light protein drinks.

Status: Launched 3/2018

Non-100% Whole Grains

Why: Whole grains are a vital, high-fiber source of calories, nutrients and nourishing fats. High-fiber foods reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and selected cancers. They protect normal blood sugar and insulin function, and keep you feeling full longer.

Sodium (>800 mg per Serving)

Why: High sodium intake in salt-sensitive individuals is associated with high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, worsening heart failure and other conditions.

Saturated Fat (>4 grams per Portion)

Why: Problematic amino acids that in red meat, egg yolks, cheeses all have carnitine, lecithin and choline. These are associated with inflammation, hardening of arteries, and increased levels of LDL (lousy) cholesterol. They increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and selected cancers.