Design Problem
Lack of Personalization in Dietary Journeys
Many individuals embark on a journey towards better health and fitness, only to be deterred by the overwhelming nature of generic advice and one-size-fits-all meal plans. The challenge lies in crafting a sustainable and individualised approach that considers factors like calorie needs, dietary restrictions, exercise routines, and personal preferences. Traditional resources often miss the mark when it comes to addressing such distinct and unique requirements, resulting in feelings of frustration and the eventual abandonment of their health goals.
The absence of a user-centric approach to meal planning hinders progress and makes it difficult for individuals to maintain their health objectives. This problem is exacerbated by the erratic class schedules we face as students, making it even more crucial to have an efficient and effective solution in place.
Our Rationale
The rationale behind choosing this problem is rooted in its relevance to our own experiences and the larger societal need for improved dietary habits. Many of us have struggled with maintaining a balanced diet due to factors like time constraints, lack of knowledge and conflicting and overwhelming information on the internet. Additionally, a sentiment that resonates widely within our team and our broader social circles, we become disheartened when we fail to witness improvements in their health goals despite diligently adhering to a diet.
Furthermore, the emergence of AI in recent years offers an exciting opportunity to create a solution that was previously not feasible. Instead of imposing rigid and stringent traditional meal plans that require users to conform, we want to flip this approach to make meal plans work for the user instead.
Our focus extends beyond short-term fixes. We believe that a personalised approach to nutrition can pave the way for a positive, sustainable change. By addressing this issue, we aim to empower individuals to make healthier food choices that are tailored to their specific needs, encouraging them to stick to their dietary plans over the long term and ultimately leading a healthier diet and lifestyle.
Through our personalised solution, we intend to simplify the process of planning and preparing meals, making it accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for individuals from all walks of life. This design problem aligns perfectly with our shared passion for technology, wellness, and making a positive impact on the lives of others.
As we move forward, we're excited to collaborate, innovate, and create a solution that revolutionises the way people approach their dietary journeys.
Issues Faced
01
Generic Information
Many available meal planning resources offer one-size-fits-all solutions, neglecting to consider individual factors such as dietary preferences, restrictions, and goals. This disconnect results in unsustainable routines that don't align with personal needs.
02
Lack of
Adaptation
Current solutions lack the ability to adapt as an individual's health goals and requirements evolve with changes in exercise routines and progress. This deficiency leads to a gap between prescribed and actual nutritional needs.
03
The intricacies of crafting personalised nutrition plans involve complex data analysis, making it challenging for individuals to manage on their own. This complexity hinders widespread adoption of effective dietary practices.
04
Sustainability
Meal plans that fail to accommodate daily preferences, dietary limitations, and ingredient availability hinder long-term adherence. Additionally, maintaining habits beyond the duration of meal plans that are overly stringent and lack allowances for occasional indulgences can be difficult to sustain and can set users up for failure and disappointment. The result is a struggle to maintain consistency and reap the benefits of a balanced diet.
05
Costly
Solutions
While AI-driven solutions hold potential, many current offerings come at a steep cost, limiting accessibility to those who need them the most. This financial barrier prevents widespread adoption and undermines the broader goal of healthier living.
06
Monotony
Adhering to repetitive meal plans can result in food fatigue and diminished motivation for healthier eating.
This particular user demographic comprises parents who are health-conscious, emphasizing the well-being and health of both themselves and their entire family.
Health-Conscious Parent
Fitness enthusiasts who are actively involved in various sports and maintain rigorous exercise routines and prioritise their physical fitness and overall well-being, often requiring specialised nutrition to support their workouts and achieve their fitness goals.
Fitness Enthusiast
Young individuals who have recently started on the journey of independent living, venturing into a newfound sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency. Within this group, the art of meal planning is an emerging skill, as they begin to navigate the intricacies of planning, preparing, and enjoying their own meals independently.
Youth Living Alone
The target user group consists of those who actively control their weight, including those who want to lose, maintain or gain weight. These people prioritise their food decisions as a way to meet their weight-related objectives.
Weight Management Seekers
The target user group consists of those who come from abroad and always try to adapt to Singapore food culture. These people sometimes miss their home country food while trying to find a restaurant for their home country food.
Foreigners