We all know the basics of eating well: cook more, order less, get your greens in, don’t forget protein, hydrate, etc. But what happens when life gets messy? When the days feel too short, the to-do list feels too long, and just thinking about what to make for dinner is enough to make you want to crawl under a blanket with a sleeve of crackers? The truth is, eating healthy isn't always easy, but it doesn't have to be impossible either.  Below are a few practical strategies to help you stay nourished when life is (as the kids say) a lot. 1. Redefine What “Healthy” Looks Like   A big part of eating well during busy seasons is dropping the pressure to do it perfectly.  Balanced eating doesn’t have to look like a fridge full of prepped meals and matching glass containers.  Sometimes, it looks like throwing together a bowl of rice, greens, and whatever’s left in the fridge. Sometimes it looks like choosing the roasted veggies over the fries, even if the rest of the meal came from a drive-thru. Give yourself permission to eat simply. Not everything has to be a Pinterest recipe. 2. Simplify Your Choices   Decision fatigue is real, and it hits hard around mealtime. Try keeping a small mental (or literal) rotation of go-to meals you know are healthy and fast.  Maybe it's a smoothie, eggs and toast, a tuna wrap, or soup from your freezer. The less you have to think about it, the more likely you are to make a nourishing choice. Bonus tip: build a “default grocery list” with these staples so you're always stocked for fallback meals. 3. Prep Less, Plan Smarter   Meal prep can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to mean cooking for hours on Sunday. Think smaller: Wash and cut veggies ahead of time Make extra portions when you do cook Prep one meal component (like a grain or protein) that you can mix and match through the week Even a little prep can save you from a lot of stress later. 4. Outsource Without Guilt   There’s a reason you can hire someone to clean your house, walk your dog, or assemble your IKEA furniture. Outsourcing isn’t failure, it’s strategy. The same goes for food. If you’re in a busy season (or just permanently busy), services like ouichef exist to take one major task off your plate, while still putting something good on it. With ouichef, meals are: Fully prepared by a real chef 100% customizable to your dietary needs (yes, even the no-onions people) Delivered fresh, not frozen Free of subscriptions or pressure It's not “cheating.” It’s choosing ease and health at the same time. 5. Don’t Let One Day Derail You   Everyone has those days, the ones where dinner is a granola bar and a handful of popcorn. Instead of giving up and thinking “I’ll start again next Monday,” just aim to make your next meal better. Health isn’t built on single meals. It’s built on small, consistent choices over time.   When life is a lot, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s sustainability. Eating healthy during chaos doesn’t require superhuman discipline or gourmet-level effort. It just takes a little compassion, a few smart shortcuts, and sometimes, a little help from your local chef. If you’re ready to take “what’s for dinner?” off your plate, we’re here to help. See what’s on the menu this week.