According to Diabetes Canada, one in every three Canadians is either pre-diabetic or diabetic — and it’s no surprise, as Canada has become an industrial hotspot for sugar producers.

While we often don’t think about the sugar content in our sweet treats, some people must think about what they’re eating due to health challenges. One such person is CEO and Co-founder of ZoRaw Chocolate, Gigi Gill, who experiences autoimmune issues that contributed to her being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at an early age.

“I learned that by changing the foods I ate I was able to drastically reduce my health issues and put my diabetes into remission. One of the drastic changes I made was completely taking out all refined sugars, which unfortunately at the time included my biggest addiction: chocolate.”

That’s why ZoRaw Chocolates are low in sugar and high in protein — because proteins are an essential part of a balanced diet and help curb your appetite. The trick for ZoRaw was balancing the protein to make the chocolate feel indulgent and not like a protein bar.

On top of all the health benefits, ZoRaw Chocolate is made with fair trade cacao, which Gill sees as a core value of their brand. It ensures the cacao farms are paid fairly and work under ethical conditions, which is crucial for supporting sustainable farming practices.

“As the first generation in my family not born on a farm, fair trade is non-negotiable for me — trust me, not choosing fair trade cacao would probably get me disowned at family gatherings!”

ZoRaw’s community focus extends to job creation, partnering with local causes, and donating to charities like Seva Food Bank in Mississauga.

“Growing up with a single immigrant mother, I saw firsthand how the power of community can transform lives, regardless of scale … Whether it’s creating local jobs, supporting newcomers to Canada, mentorship … We aim to strengthen the community around us in every way we can.”