Healthy Snacks In Vending Machines

A vending machine may be convenient, but many of the snacks are loaded with fat, calories, salt or sugar. Soda, candy bars and potato chips are typical vending machine fare, but none of them offer nutritional value. If you know what you look for, you can make a healthier choice when the vending machine is your only option for a quick fix to your hunger.

Baked Chips

Most vending machines offer several varieties of potato and tortilla chips. Manyof the chip options are fried, so they are quite high in fat, calories and salt. If you pay close attention to the labels, you may be able to find baked chips, which will be significantly lower in fat and calories. Fried potato and tortilla chips also contain little, if any, vitamins and minerals, which makes them an unhealthy snack choice. Baked chips may supply small amounts of fiber and protein, making them a healthier choice when you need a quick snack.

Pretzels

Pretzels are one of the lowest-fat options in vending machines. Most pretzels contain a small amount of fat, but little saturated fat. Pretzels are usually baked, which cuts down on the amount of trans fats your snack will contain. John Burstein, author of "Snack Attack: Unhealthy Treats," adds that most pretzels are also lower in calories than most other vending machine snacks. Pretzels will also supply a small amount of fiber to help satisfy your hunger.

Popcorn

A serving of popcorn will help fulfill your whole-grain requirement for the day. Whole grains, such as popcorn, supply dietary fiber. Snacks with fiber fill you up more quickly and keep you full longer so you are less likely to choose unhealthy snacks later because you are hungry. A bag of popcorn is also lower in fat and calories than candy bars or chips. If you have a choice, opt for a plain variety of popcorn because it will be lower in sodium than flavored varieties.

100 Percent Fruit Juice

Soda is one of the most common offerings in vending machines, but it is packed with added sugar and provides no nutrition. If you are thirsty, choose 100 percent fruit juice over soda because it has no added sugar and provides important nutrients, like vitamin C and potassium. Pass on choices labeled as "fruit drinks" because they often contain little juice, but lots of added sugar.