Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
We are not a "weight loss clinic." We are a medical practice that believes in healing, not just medicating. We help you naturally reverse chronic conditions by addressing the root cause: what is on your plate.
The modern diet—high in ultraprocessed foods and low in plant foods—is the primary driver of many chronic diseases and ailments today, but you have the power to change what you eat. By replacing disease-driving foods with those that promote healing and optimal function, we help you reclaim your health.
But we also recognize that changing lifelong habits is a journey. Every patient has unique challenges, struggles, and preferences, and we meet you exactly where you are with a nonjudgmental and caring approach. We provide the education, ongoing support, and personal accountability you need to make these changes a reality. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools to achieve a meaningful, sustainable transformation that lasts a lifetime.
Every registered dietitian is a nutritionist, but not every nutritionist is a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian (RD) is a regulated medical professional who has completed a rigorous degree program, a thousand-plus hours of supervised clinical practice, and passed a national board exam.
Unlike the broad term "nutritionist"—which anyone can use regardless of their background—a registered dietitian is uniquely qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. At Cleveland Nutrition, that means working alongside Dr. Gutman to manage complex clinical conditions, interpret labs, and help you safely transition your lifestyle to reverse disease.
No, we do not provide primary care services such as routine physicals, urgent needs, or coordination of care. We are a specialist practice that focuses on lifestyle and nutritional medicine, which is a distinct branch of healthcare.
We are happy to collaborate with your PCP by sharing your progress and dietary plan to ensure your transition to health is seamless and coordinated.
If you do not currently have a PCP, we recommend establishing a relationship with a primary care provider for your general medical needs.
We do not provide lab testing as a standalone service. Diagnostic testing and bloodwork are clinical tools used exclusively for patients enrolled in our Plants as Medicine® program and actively working with Dr. Gutman. This ensures that every test is tied to a personalized strategy and that we are available to interpret and act on your results within the context of your overall healing plan.
If you require an individualized plan, Dr. Gutman personally reviews your medical history, health goals, and food preferences with you to create a nutrition plan tailored specifically to your needs. This individualized approach ensures that your plan is both clinically effective for your specific medical conditions and manageable for your lifestyle.
Support is at the heart of our practice. You aren't just given a plan and sent on your way. Throughout the program, Dr. Gutman and our registered dietitian work closely with you to answer questions, keep you motivated, and adjust or eliminate medications whenever possible as your health improves.
Your journey begins with a 45-minute consultation with our registered dietitian. This is a dedicated time for us to listen to your story, understand your health goals, and discuss the specific challenges or barriers you’ve faced in the past.
We’ll explain how our program works and show you how we provide the support you need to reach your goals. While there is a nominal fee of $70 to reserve your time with our medical team, this is fully credited toward the cost of your program.
Every health journey is different, so we offer two distinct programs, matched to your medical needs and health goals at your initial consultation.
Medical Disease Reversal (MD + RD Track):
An intensive clinical intervention for patients with active chronic conditions — such as diabetes, heart disease, digestive or autoimmune issues — requiring direct physician care. Dr. Gutman directs your treatment alongside our registered dietitian, with the medical authority to adjust and reduce prescriptions as your health improves.
This 6-month program includes:
- Initial Medical Consultation with Dr. Gutman
- Personalized Medical Nutrition Plan Creation
- 2 Follow-Up Medical Appointments with Dr. Gutman
- Active medical oversight to safely reduce or eliminate prescriptions
- Comprehensive Initial Dietitian Consultation
- Extended Dietitian Kickoff Session
- Regular Dietitian Sessions (weekly for 3 months, then every other week)
- Daily Online Coaching with your Dietitian (first month included, extendable if needed)
- Full Access to our Online Member Resources & Mobile App
$685 down + $685/month for 6 months* (Total Investment: $4,795)
Lifestyle Transformation (RD Track):
Best suited for those focused on weight loss, general disease prevention, or early warning signs like rising blood pressure or cholesterol — and who want to prevent the need for medication. It's also the right fit for anyone who wants to change how they eat at a steady, manageable pace: typically one or two new dietary changes each week, adjusted to what works for you. This track is led by our registered dietitian and does not include physician services.
This 6-month program includes:
- Comprehensive Initial Dietitian Consultation
- Extended Dietitian Kickoff Session
- Regular Dietitian Sessions (weekly for 3 months, then every other week)
- Daily Online Coaching with your Dietitian (first month included, extendable if needed)
- Full Access to our Online Member Resources & Mobile App
$485 down + $485/month for 6 months* (Total Investment: $3,395)
Long-Term Maintenance (After 6 Months):
Once your initial 6-month program concludes, you can transition into long-term maintenance for $200/month (1 dietitian session per month) or $300/month (2 dietitian sessions per month).
*0% APR financing available through Cherry for qualified applicants. Additional payment options and longer terms available.Diagnostic testing, if required, is an additional cost. Rates subject to change.
While our services are medical in nature, we do not participate directly with insurance companies. Remaining out-of-network allows us to provide a higher level of personalized care and daily support without the restrictions imposed by insurance providers.
Many of our patients successfully use their HSA or FSA funds to pay for our services. We also partner with Cherry to offer flexible, no-interest financing options for qualified applicants to ensure that achieving your health goals is manageable for your budget.
No. In fact, the concept of a "meal replacement" is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve. By definition, these products are ultra-processed and laboratory-designed, whereas our goal is to help you restore your health through real, whole foods.
Regarding supplements, while we believe your nutrition should primarily come from the food you eat, some essential nutrients—like Vitamin D and others—can be difficult to get from diet alone. Because of this, we may recommend a few basic supplements to help support your progress and ensure your body has everything it needs to heal.
Yes, we offer telehealth options for residents of Ohio. If you are unable to visit our Beachwood or Fairlawn offices in person, you can meet with Dr. Gutman and our registered dietitian through secure video sessions from the comfort of your home.
This allows you to receive the same high level of personalized medical guidance and support no matter where you are in the state.
ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
Yes. Research shows that the Standard American Diet—which is high in ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats—is a leading driver of many medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune conditions, and digestive problems. These foods can cause inflammation and metabolic changes that damage the body over time.
The good news is that because food is often a primary cause of these issues, it can also be a primary part of the cure. By shifting toward a plant-focused lifestyle, you can often stop the progression of these diseases and, in many cases, begin to reverse them entirely.
A plant-focused diet is a clinical tool used in lifestyle medicine to maximize the nutrients your body needs to repair damage and reverse disease. While this approach prioritizes whole, plant-based foods, it doesn't necessarily require you to give up all animal products. Our goal is to find the right balance that works for your specific health needs.
It’s also important to remember that "vegan" doesn't always mean "healthy." Many vegan products are highly processed and can contribute to the same health issues as a standard diet. Our focus is on the quality and nutrient density of your food, ensuring that what you eat actively supports your recovery.
No. We focus on prescribing "lifestyle medicine" rather than weight-loss drugs. Our primary goal is to help you reduce or even eliminate your existing medications as your health fundamentally improves.
Many patients are surprised by how quickly the body can respond to proper nutrition. For example, when Dr. Gutman works with patients taking insulin for diabetes, the dietary changes are often so effective that he must begin reducing their insulin dosages on the very first day of the program.
Transitioning to a plant-focused lifestyle doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing choice. We believe that progress is more important than perfection, and even small, consistent changes can yield significant health benefits.
If there are specific foods you aren't ready to give up, we will work with you to find a sustainable balance that prioritizes your health goals without making you feel restricted or overwhelmed. Our focus is on adding healing foods to your life, not just taking things away.
While "moderation" sounds reasonable, it can be a difficult strategy when you are trying to reverse a chronic condition. Many foods in the standard diet are specifically designed to be habit-forming, making it very hard to practice true moderation.
More importantly, your body has a threshold for healing. If you are still consuming foods that drive inflammation and disease—even in "moderate" amounts—you may stay stuck in the same health cycle. Instead of guessing what counts as moderate, we help you build a strong foundation of the foods that actively restore your health. This allows your body to heal first; once your health is restored and your biology has shifted, finding a sustainable balance becomes much more natural.
Life doesn’t stop just because you are changing your health. We don't expect you to stay home; instead, we teach you the "navigational skills" needed to eat out successfully. Our team provides specific strategies for reading menus, requesting simple modifications, and staying on track while still enjoying time with friends and family.
No. We focus on practical, real-world nutrition that fits into a busy life. While learning to prepare some basic, whole-food meals is part of the journey, we specialize in "efficient eating"—showing you how to make nutrient-dense meals in minutes and even navigate convenience options safely.
Our goal is to make your new lifestyle support your life, not take it over. We’ll give you the recipes, shopping lists, and strategies you need to spend less time worrying about food and more time enjoying your improved health.
We understand that life is busy, but there is rarely a "perfect" time to start. In fact, waiting until things settle down often means waiting until a health crisis forces your hand.
Improving your nutrition isn't just another task on your to-do list; it’s an investment that gives you the energy and clarity to handle everything else in your life. Our program is designed to provide the support and structure you need to make these changes manageable, even when life is at its most chaotic.
While every body is different, many patients notice changes in their energy levels, digestion, and sleep within the first week or two. If weight loss is a goal, most patients begin to see a significant downward trend in their weight during this initial period.
The timeline for specific medical conditions varies. For metabolic issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, the body’s response can sometimes be quite rapid; in these cases, Dr. Gutman works closely with patients to adjust or reduce medications to prevent blood sugar or blood pressure from dropping too low—sometimes within the first few days. Other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, generally require more time for the body to reduce inflammation and show measurable progress.
Our program is designed to be a permanent lifestyle, not a temporary fix. By the time you reach your primary health goals, your taste buds have often changed and your new habits feel like second nature. We focus on long-term sustainability, ensuring you have the knowledge, recipes, and confidence to maintain your results for life without feeling restricted.
Get Started Today.
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