If you find yourself hungry during the mid-afternoon hours or unexpectedly still in the office at dinnertime, you may be tempted to visit your office's vending machine. Similarly, your child may have the option to make a selection from vending machines at school that offer soft drinks or snack foods. Understanding the nutritional content of the various foods that you are likely to encounter in a vending machine can help you to make healthy choices.
Types
Vending machine offerings can run the gamut from relatively healthful snacks to junk foods and soft drinks. Some vending machines offer bottled soda, iced tea and water. Others carry chips, pretzels and other salty snacks, and still others are full of chocolate bars and fruit-flavored candy. Some carry a variety of snacks, including relatively healthy selections, such as granola bars, sunflower seeds and nuts. Your office cafeteria may have vending machines that offer fresh foods, such as green salads or sandwiches.
Significance
USA Today reports that vending machines in schools can lead to poor nutritional habits in children. Since most vending machines in schools contain foods that are high in empty calories, the kids routinely eat these junk foods. Making poor food choices can lead them down a path to obesity, diabetes and other health problems. Adults can fall into the same bad habits by regularly utilizing vending machines that offer sweet, salty or high-fat fare.
Considerations
If you must use a vending machine, choose foods that are relatively low in fat and that contain fiber, protein or vitamins that you need. Buy plain bottled water over sugary sodas or soft drinks that contain artificial sweeteners. Eat popcorn, pretzels or baked chips instead of full-fat chips, cheese crackers and candy bars. Granola bars and cereal bars are usually a more healthful option than peanut butter crackers, muffins or fruit pies.
Benefits
Vending machines are fast and easy, and if you have the option of choosing fresh salads or sandwiches, they can provide you with a healthy meal. Choosing snacks such as low-fat popcorn can allow you to relieve your hunger while giving you a boost of dietary fiber. Some vending machines offer 100-calorie packages of popular snack foods, allowing you to know exactly how many calories you are consuming.
Warnings
Regularly eating foods that are high in fat and calories can lead to obesity. Obesity if a risk factor for developing heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancer and high cholesterol. Filling up on vending machine fare also means that you are replacing healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, with empty calories. Plan ahead by bringing healthy snacks with you to work or packing them in your child's lunchbox to avoid being tempted by unhealthy vending machine snacks and drinks.
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