Meta-Balance 360 Ready-Made Meals is the result… of the lack of healthy low-calorie, easy, convenient meals that are cost-effective and will allow one to achieve their health goals while still enjoying their favourite foods.

My major challenge is… resources to satisfy the market demand.

The product will become available at… all major supermarkets islandwide by April 30, 2018.

The response to the products has been… phenomenal! In fact, many individuals are now becoming aware that pre-packaged healthy meals are tasty and that vacuum-sealed frozen meals are just as wholesome as freshly prepared meals due to the technology used. There’s intrigue that one can be consuming tasty, enjoyable meals with a healthy twist, lose weight and attain one’s health goals.

Our core customers are… young to middle age (30-55 years) professionals who have little or no time to prepare meals or those who are seeking a healthy lifestyle. In addition to those with diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.

I plan to grow the business to become… the number one leader in the provision of wholesome, healthy-alternative pre-packaged Jamaican cuisine locally, regionally and internationally.

My first breakthrough came when.. . we were awarded the Ignite Grant Funding from the Prime Minister through the DBJ/ JMA which allowed us the resources to purchase equipment, advertise and position the product in the marketplace.

Jamaicans should support my product because… it is the perfect solution to the country’s obesity crisis. In Jamaica unhealthy dieting was listed as one of the four risk factors largely responsible for the development of non-communicable diseases (2009 to current.. Commonwealth Report of the Ministry of Health Jamaica). Approximately 60% of deaths among men and 75% of deaths among females were recorded. Over 90% of persons diagnosed as being obese also had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Of note is that none of these persons were on a specific diet to control their condition. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension and cancers are some of the leading causes of death in Jamaica outlined in the same report.

Based on experience and observation in health consultation over the past four years there has been a 500% increase in referrals of persons with non-communicable disease by medical practitioners. Some of the main reasons which contributed to the mismanagement of nutritional health were:

a. Lack of awareness of correct portion sizing and balanced dieting

b. Skipping meals due to lack of time to prepare meals

c. Unavailability of convenient and affordable healthy food options

In response to this significant trend, Complete Nutrition Care Diet Centre developed convenient and novel solution (Meta-Balance 360) to the problem with low-calorie, well-portioned, pre-packaged Jamaican cuisine. The meals are prepared with no fat, low sodium and no artificial seasonings. They are customised for individuals who have little or no time to prepare wholesome meals or are unable to readily access wholesome meals but who are desirous of losing weight. The result is reduction in obesity and other non-communicable diseases. The technologies used during the manufacturing process guarantee wholesome meals with 100% result in weight loss and reduction in non-communicable diseases while still enjoying the true flavours of Jamaican cuisine with a healthy alternative.

My product is successful because… it provides the solution for many individuals struggling to not only start a weight-loss or healthy lifestyle journey but to maintain this lifestyle practice.

If I knew then what I know now… I would have started my company five years ago… we’d be so much more advanced.