In the world of weight loss and entrepreneurship, few stories are as inspiring as that of Keya Wingfield, a chef who not only transformed her own health but also launched a successful business from her kitchen. Since 2021, Keya has shed an astonishing 107 pounds, dropping from 245 to 138 pounds, all while cultivating her brand, Keya’s Snacks, which specializes in masala-spiced potato chips. What sets her journey apart is that she achieved this remarkable transformation without the aid of popular weight-loss medications like Ozempic, which have gained notoriety in recent years.
Keya’s struggles with weight began long before her entrepreneurial aspirations. “I was born overweight,” she quipped. Throughout her adult life, she attempted countless diets, from Weight Watchers to the cabbage soup diet, but none provided lasting results. Like many, she faced the ups and downs of weight management, exacerbated by life’s challenges such as work stress and the physical toll of pregnancy. After enduring the loss of her newborn son, a heartrending experience that could have derailed her completely, Keya found a renewed purpose in her daughter’s face, declaring, “She deserves a happy mom, a healthy mom.” This emotional turning point ignited the determination she needed to reclaim her health.
Armed with a determination fueled by love and loss, Keya focused on understanding her body. She began monitoring her blood sugar levels, which illuminated the impact of her previous carbohydrate-heavy vegetarian diet, rich in rice, potatoes, and pasta. As she learned which foods caused insulin spikes, she made a conscious shift toward a more balanced diet, consuming 1,500 to 1,800 calories a day filled with healthier choices. “People have this perception that if you’re a vegetarian, you eat a lot of veggies — that’s not how that works,” she noted, reflecting on her previous eating habits.
Incorporating exercise into her routine was another game-changer. While she had always been active, she took up weightlifting and boxing, both of which offered physical benefits and mental clarity. Weightlifting helped her build muscle mass, effectively managing her insulin levels, while boxing provided a therapeutic outlet. “Beating a bag by yourself in a loud environment is pretty therapeutic,” she shared, highlighting the unexpected joys of physical fitness.
As her health journey progressed, a serendipitous venture led to the creation of Keya’s Snacks. Originally intended to introduce her husband to Indian spices, her homemade masala-spiced potato chips quickly gained popularity. During the pandemic, when her dessert studio faced decline, she pivoted her business model to include modern Indian-American meals paired with her flavorful chips. This entrepreneurial leap proved successful, with her products now available in approximately 1,400 stores and even a new flavor added to the lineup.
Keya’s approach to snacking embodies her belief that food should bring joy, not guilt. “They have nothing. They have joy in them,” she states, emphasizing the importance of enjoying what you eat. This philosophy challenges the existing stigma around snacks and promotes the idea that not everything needs to be functional. The balance she strikes between indulgence and health has resonated with many, reinforcing the notion that enjoying food is a vital part of life.
In a world increasingly obsessed with quick fixes and miracle pills, Keya Wingfield’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the benefits of perseverance, self-awareness, and the joy of food. Her story illustrates that true transformation is not only about physical changes but also about emotional resilience and the courage to embrace one’s identity—whether as a mother, a chef, or an entrepreneur. For those grappling with their own weight loss or health challenges, her narrative offers a glimmer of hope and a practical framework for achieving personal goals, one step—and one chip—at a time.
