Pastoco: A Pie Chart Plate for Balanced Nutrition

Designers Jun Yamazaki and Takuya Osawa's Innovative Approach to Healthy Eating

The Pastoco plate was inspired by the challenges faced by new couples striving for a healthy lifestyle. The designers recognized that overly managed diets could restrict a couple's enjoyment of food and make it difficult to maintain a balanced diet. The Pastoco plate was created to address these issues, providing a visually appealing and intuitive way to manage food portions and nutritional balance.

The plate's unique design is its key feature. Shaped like a pie chart, the plate visually represents the balance of nutrition in a meal. This allows users to understand the nutritional balance of their food without the need to weigh ingredients or calculate nutritional values. An open section on the plate encourages users to eat vegetables first, helping to prevent a sharp increase in blood sugar levels.

The Pastoco plate is made from ceramic, chosen for its natural, warm texture and good mass-productivity. The designers believe that the plate's aesthetic appeal will motivate users to maintain a healthy diet. The plate is available in four colors: natural beige, white, navy, and pastel pink, allowing users to choose their preferred style.

The design process involved extensive research, including observing the eating habits and behaviors of the target demographic and conducting interviews. The designers found that new couples often struggle with maintaining a healthy diet after marriage, as the joy of shared meals can lead to overeating. The Pastoco plate was designed to address this issue, providing a simple and enjoyable way to control food portions and maintain a balanced diet.

Jun Yamazaki and Takuya Osawa faced the challenge of balancing two conflicting factors: the need for portion control and the desire to enjoy food. The pie chart design was the solution to this challenge, providing a visual representation of balance that does not impose strict dietary restrictions. The Pastoco plate is a testament to the designers' innovative approach to promoting healthy eating habits, proving that design can play a crucial role in improving lifestyle and wellbeing.