When Valyne Groves started struggling with brain fog during stressful work weeks, she didn’t turn to supplements or caffeine. Instead, she looked inward—right at her plate.
“I was eating whatever was convenient—frozen meals, pastries, snacks loaded with preservatives,” Valyne recalls. “My brain felt sluggish, and my energy dropped every afternoon.” That’s when she stumbled upon clean eating, not as a fad diet, but as a way to reconnect with how food made her feel.
Mornings now begin with lemon water and a bowl of warm oatmeal topped with fresh berries and flaxseeds. “I keep it simple but nourishing,” she says. Her lunches are often vibrant salads with grilled chicken or roasted sweet potatoes, paired with olive oil and lemon dressing. Processed sauces and sugar-laden dressings have been replaced with natural flavors and herbs.
But the biggest shift was in how she cooked. “I started prepping meals on Sundays, and it gave me control over what went into my food,” Valyne explains. The mental clarity she felt after just two weeks surprised her. “I stopped needing that second cup of coffee at 3 p.m.,” she laughs. “It was like lifting a fog.”
Now, clean eating isn’t just about the food—it’s about mindfulness. She’s more aware of how she eats, when she feels full, and how her body responds.
“It’s not restrictive,” she adds. “It’s actually freeing. I feel clear, calm, and capable.”
