To survive in the Arctic, Inuit had for centuries to rely on fish, mammals and some plants such as wild berries and seaweeds. However, since the 1990’s, the consumption of country food has decreased markedly, and the rapid food transition towards a western diet has led to excessive intake of carbohydrate, salt and trans-fatty acids. The obesity prevalence is increasing, and cardiovascular diseases and risk factors have become major health issues. Global environmental changes also affect Inuit dietary patterns in many ways including the availability of local animal and plant species and/or the concentration of environmental contaminants. The traditional country food diet in Nunavik is very rich in key protective nutrients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and selenium. Wild berries, seaweed and other plants found in Nunavik may provide plant-derived nutrients and secondary metabolites that also offer unique potential for the prevention or management of metabolic disease and associated cardiovascular complications and to offset some deleterious effects of environmental contaminants exposures. Moreover, specific proteins found in fish may contribute to beneficial actions on insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and inflammation. With a better understanding of the overall benefits of nutrients present in the different country foods consumed in Nunavik, we can better orient public policies aiming to improve country food consumption and food security, promote Inuit culture, minimize the risks from environmental contaminant exposure and the emergence of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in this population and across the Arctic.