Nyla West used to believe clean eating was only for people with time—time to prep, cook, shop at farmer’s markets, and post picture-perfect meals. “I had none of that,” she says. “Between work, commuting, and just trying to breathe, I could barely boil pasta.”
But after experiencing months of fatigue and brain fog, she knew something had to change. She didn’t want a crash diet or a 30-day reset. She needed something sustainable. So she set a challenge for herself: Could she eat clean without changing her busy schedule?
She started by looking at her current habits. “I was skipping meals, then eating takeout at 9 p.m. while half-asleep,” she says. So she made two simple shifts: prioritize real food and cut decision fatigue.
Instead of planning elaborate meals, Nyla rotated just a few basics. A smoothie she could prep the night before. A veggie stir-fry with frozen pre-cut ingredients. Protein she could batch-cook once a week. “It wasn’t glamorous,” she laughs, “but it worked.”
She kept snacks like nuts, fruit, and hummus in her bag. She switched her mindset from “perfect meals” to “progress meals.” And most importantly, she gave herself grace when things didn’t go to plan.
The result? More energy. Better focus. And a feeling of control. “Clean eating isn’t about having extra time,” Nyla says. “It’s about using your time differently—and being kind to yourself along the way.”
