North American society is addicted to sugar and processed foods. For all intents and purposes, our restaurants are carbohydrate factories, and as a result metabolic disorders and heart disease are more common than ever.  This way of eating inhibits your body’s ability to stabilize blood sugar levels, which leads to rampant inflammation, inconsistent hormone levels and a reduction in our overall health and vitality. If you are serious about improving your overall health markers, taking steps to balance your blood sugar levels is the first thing you need to focus on. Start by adding these foods into your daily diet regime.

Avocados should be a staple in your diet. I have one every day with a serving of meat and vegetables at lunch time. They are loaded with minerals, fibre, and healthy fats that all help to stabilize blood sugar levels. Avocados are also a significant source of B vitamins which keep energy levels high. Avocados contain a special type of sugar molecule called D-mannoheptulose. This type of sugar has the ability to lower insulin levels. You can eat them in salads, use them as spreads or just cut one up into slices and pop them into your mouth as a snack.

Coconut oil is one of the best things you can add to your diet. It is an excellent source of healthy fats (referred to as medium chain triglycerides or MCTs). MCTs are the types of fat that your body can readily convert into a source of energy called ketones. When you burn ketones for energy instead of sugar, you naturally stabilize blood sugar and improve your body’s fat burning ability. I like to use a tablespoon of coconut oil on my sweet potatoes with a pinch of cinnamon. It makes them taste like candy when they first come out of the oven and are nice and hot.

Pasture-raised eggs are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. These are eggs produced by chickens raised on pasture their entire lives. As opposed to indoor confinement, they are free to forage for bugs, scrubs, grass etc. Making them significantly more nutrient dense than any generic egg you will find on the shelf at No Frills. Eggs are a low-carb food so they have minimal impact on blood sugar. There is significant evidence from longitudinal studies showing that increased egg consumption is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and metabolic disorders. I eat four a day at breakfast and I feel fantastic the entire morning. Full of energy and extremely alert.

Chocolate can help to stabilize your blood sugar. Yes you read that right.  I am not talking about milk chocolate that you can buy at the convenience store. The key is to buy raw chocolate or cacao. In its raw form it is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can find. It is loaded with antioxidants, minerals such as magnesium and chromium, and is a significant source of vitamin C. Chromium helps to improve the function of insulin to stabilize blood sugar and helps to reduce sugar cravings. You need to eat a ton of it to reap the benefits. I like to have a couple of pieces after dinner to satisfy my sweet tooth.