I never imagined I’d one day find peace in the kitchen, surrounded by vegetables.

A few years ago, my diet was a mess, and so was my energy, my skin, my moods, and honestly, my whole life. Like many Kenyans living a fast-food lifestyle, my meals were mostly bought, not cooked. Breakfast? White bread and tea. Lunch? Chips, sausage, and soda. Dinner? Whatever was quickest and cheapest, usually greasy, salty, and washed down with more soda.

I told myself I was too busy to cook. Deep down, I was just too lazy to care. But my body cared. I started getting sick often. My mind felt foggy. I had random breakouts, constant fatigue, and low self-esteem. I didn’t like how I looked or felt but didn’t know where to start.

Then one day, stuck in a long hospital queue, I overheard a doctor say, “Our people are dying from their diet.” That line stayed with me.

That night, I stood in my tiny kitchen, stared at a dusty stove I hadn’t used in weeks, and said, "Let me try." I started with a boiled egg and a tomato. The next day, I cooked sukuma wiki badly, but I kept trying. Little by little, I swapped soda for water, chips for sweet potatoes, and processed fruit snacks.

Eventually, I fell in love with cooking. It became more than food, it became healing. My energy came back. I slept better. My skin cleared up. My mind felt sharper. I smiled more.

Today, people think I’ve “always been like this.” But no, I had to fight for this version of me. I had to unlearn years of unhealthy eating and reintroduce myself to real food.

Kenya, We Need to Talk About Our Plates

We’ve gotten too comfortable with junk. Chips mayai, mandazis, burgers, flavoured juices, they’re everywhere. Cheap, quick, addictive. But they’re silently killing us. We’ve abandoned our rich traditional diets for modern diseases.

We mock healthy eaters. We call it “rabbit food.” We think eating clean is for the rich. But the truth? It’s not expensive. It’s just unfamiliar.

If You Want to Change Your Life, Start With What’s on Your Plate

I’m not here to preach perfection. I still enjoy nyama choma. But I’ve learned to be intentional. I cook more. I eat colorfully. I read food labels. I drink water like it’s my job.

And most importantly, I listen to my body now.

If you’re reading this and feeling stuck, tired, or sick, start small. Replace one bad habit with one good one. Learn to cook. Explore traditional Kenyan foods. Add fruits. Add greens. Add life.

You don’t need a fancy diet. You need care.

Your next meal could be your first step to healing.

I know because I lived it. And if I could change, so can you.

Want to start? Boil an egg. Chop some sukuma. And turn on the stove.

Your body will thank you.