Lesa Francis-Hills creates non-soy vege meal options

After a lifetime of consuming “junk” or other foods that are bad for the body, getting into the routine of ingesting “good for you” edibles may not happen overnight.

Added to this is the conflicting wealth of information available online on what foods are actually good or bad for the body.

In an effort to encourage healthy eating, Lesa Francis-Hills began creating her own soya products in 2006 under the company name, Soy Hill. This came to halt in 2008 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was asked to come off of soya during my treatment because of the information out there about its negative effects,” she explained. Online research reveals a tug-of-war between the health benefits of and advisories against consuming products made with soy, more specifically, genetically modified soy protein.

Many researchers say the vegetarian source of protein may or may not be helpful or detrimental to heart health, bone health, menopausal symptoms, breast and prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. There is also research into the consumption of soy products and its link with reproductive problems and thyroid issues.

With relation to breast cancer, soy contains naturally occurring chemicals called isoflavones that bind to estrogen receptors and have similar effects to that hormone in the body. While most peas and beans manufacture these chemicals, soy has the highest concentration. Science associates excess estrogen exposure to breast cancer.

“While I do not have the proof about soy’s high estrogen levels, when I returned home from my cancer treatment, I knew I needed to make something that I could eat and be comfortable with,” Hills explained.

She is particularly cautious when it comes to her health and that of the women around her.

“I want women to take care of themselves.

“I advise that they be healthy at all times and make sure they are conscious of what they are putting into their bodies,” she said.

She began experimenting and has come up with a few products made from other peas and beans and healthy ingredients that are a safe alternative for vegetarians and healthy eaters. Under the name, Vege-special Health Foods, Hills has been manufacturing semi-prepared frozen products and pre-prepared items with gravy for the past two years.

In a recent interview with Newsday, she explained that these products are free of all preservatives, monosodium glutamate and soya. Her vege-fish or Moi Moi is also gluten-free, to accommodate persons who cannot digest this protein combination.

Other products include Vege Balls, sold with an accompanying tomato sauce and Curry Channa Chunks. Products have a shelf life of between three and six months due to the use of natural preservatives. “We use a lot of ginger, cayenne pepper and flax, which are natural preservatives. We know there are other preservatives that can be used so that the product lasts longer but these have a lot of negative side effects and are not healthy. People must be able to take up the product and feel safe and secure while eating them,” Hills explained.

Her products are all tested to ascertain their nutritional values and the businesswoman assures they all contain the required amount of protein needed for daily intake, making them suitable meat replacements. Most of the ingredients used, she said, are organic and wholesome and Hills herself has visited her various suppliers to ensure this is so.

She expressed hopes to expand her range of products so that consumers can keep healthy using her simple, tasty and nutritious products.

Vege-special Health Foods products are sold at several leading supermarkets and groceries nationwide.