Eat a Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes have high amounts of beta-carotene, equal to that of carrots; for only 90 calories per sweet potato, you get a huge amount of health-building nutrients. Beta-carotene is a major fighter against cancer, heart disease, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. The bright orange flesh contains carotenoids that help boost your metabolism, stabilize your blood sugar, and lower insulin resistance, which makes your cells more responsive to insulin. Sweet potatoes have four times the Recommended Dietary Allowance for beta-carotene when eaten with the skin on. In fact, it would take 20 cups of broccoli to provide the amount of beta-carotene (vitamin A) available in a cup of cooked sweet potatoes. They are a source of vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, and iron, and have even been found to provide as much fiber as oatmeal. Plus they’re fat-free. Sweet potatoes are definitely a superfood!

Try Vanadium

Mushrooms, black peppers, parsley, dill weed, and whole grains contain vanadium, a compound that boosts your body’s sensitivity to insulin, which you need to properly process calories and thereby stabilize your blood sugar. You can also take supplements containing vanadium, but it can be toxic. DO NOT EXCEED 1.8 milligrams daily. People with kidney disease should not takevanadium and the recommended doses should be adhered to as high doses of vanadium (more than 1.8 mg per day) may cause liver or kidney damage.