Eating from a Vending Machine
I’m often asked what’s the “best choice” or “least bad” choice when it comes to eating from a vending machine. While we all try to pre-plan, sometimes we’re stuck, and the only food around is the office vending machine. That’s the topic of my TODAY segment, complete with vending machine on the set!
I hope you’ll send in your own ideas of what you're checking out the machines for something to eat!
While there are some occasional “healthy vending machine” companies attempting to offer a variety of nutritious offerings (a great thing!), most of us are stuck with the standard machines filled with candy, chips, cookies—what most of us would refer to as “junk food." So, are there any good choices there to provide any significant nutrient content, or a better choice for our waistlines? In a word, yes!
- Think before your choose to determine what you really want…Is it salt? Chocolate? Crunch? Picking to satisfy your taste buds first can save hundreds of calories.
- Size matters. Choose the smallest size of whatever you really want—whether its chips, candy, or cookies. We all know we’re going to eat the whole bag, anyway—even if it says two or three servings.
- Choose ONE item. Don’t “pre-eat." Select one package, and tell yourself that’s your limit. If you’re still looking for something afterwards, you can go back and get a pack of mints. (Intense taste, few calories.)
So, what are some choices to consider?
If you want something salty and crunchy:
Look for the smallest bag of regular chips, baked chips, or pretzels. Nutritionally, they’re all about the same. The smallest serving is the best choice.
If you want chocolate:
Choose a small chocolate bar, with almonds if you like them. Avoid the nougat fillers, which add additional calories and sugar.
If you are looking for the best nutritional choice:
Most machines have trail mix, AKA that mixture of dried fruit pieces and nuts. Try to avoid the ones with candy mixed in. Or, try a bag of almonds, peanuts, or cashews. Read the label for the serving size, as these can pack a major calorie punch. A handful of nuts is roughly 150 calories!. Some machines have peanut butter crackers, another good choice.
Bottom line: Choose carefully from a vending machine. There is always something you can find for about 200 calories. Think of it as an indulgence, so pick what you like. If you find the vending machine is a frequent source of food for you, it’s time to rethink your shopping habits!
How have you managed at a vending machine?
Comments
This struck me as so silly I had to comment on it - I can't believe the Today Show would include such a useless segment. Bottom line, pick what you want? Not really helpful...if all the stuff is just about equally unhealthy, why do a segment on good choices from a vending machine? And just a practical note on the advice to read the labels: you can't read the label from a vending machine snack until you've already purchased the product.
The credibility really goes out the window with the vending machine sponsors included on the web page here. Perhaps better sponsor links would have been for health food snack companies and better advice would have been to pack your own granola bars (or whatever) and take them to work with you. That's just as easy (easier) than walking (or even riding elevators) to the vending machine and laboring over the selections.
Wow. BW feels really strongly about this topic! I thought it was a fun segment and BW it is for people that forgot to bring their own snacks and are in a time crunch. I normally always have my walnuts and baby carrots with me, but there are times I forget and I don't have time to go elsewhere. Today does LOTS AND LOTS of shows especially with their many nutrionists on pay roll on healthy eating and about keeping healthy snacks on hand...I think its great Today put out this segment.
And my pick for the vending machine is usually the nuts when I want saltly. For sweet, I like the peanut M&Ms or Hershey Almond Bar. I never choose the supersize candies.
And my pick for the vending machine is usually the nuts when I want saltly. For sweet, I like the peanut M&Ms or Hershey Almond Bar. I never choose the supersize candies.
I agree w/ Aimee. We have seen the "healthy" snacks thing over and over again... it doesn't make me want to pack snacks ahead of time anymore than before I saw it.
I'm lazy and I'll probably still go to the vending machine, so at least it planted the seed in my head to choose more carefully next time.
It's not breaking news or anything, but still informative.
Just try a little common sense - that usually works for me. Hmm, big candy bar or small candy bar...how will I ever decide?
Came across the "healthy" vending options good plug for the sponsors,however if you want something really newsworthy and healthy in vending you should see this South African companies vending machine,it vends healthy hot popcorn at the press of a button not to mention all the other healthy snack foods they can vend,watch these guys www.mxv1.com they are certainly go to change the face of vending
At the school where I teach, we try to get to know the "vending machine guy" and ask him about healthier alternatives. We've gotten 100% fruit snacks, low-fat popcorn, real granola bars/trail mix packs, baked vs. fried chips/snacks, etc. just by asking what is available, and he often suprises us by going out of his way to find snacks that we will appreciate. We also leave him sticky notes with suggestions AND "thank you"s so that he knows we value his efforts. Another idea is to have everyone contribute a large package of individually-packaged healthier snacks to a community snack bin. You don't have to remember a snack every day, and you might get to try some new snacks!
This is helpful advice. I wish people would stop calling food "healthy" or "not healthy". The implication is that it makes your choice morally superior. Most people don't now why it is healthy or not. The old fashioned term that is nuetral is nutrititious. It is all fuel for the body. Many people have a long commute, or are taking evening classes etc. and they are HUNGRY! When your are hungry you eat. Your entitled! You should not have to worry about someone looking over your shoulder and judging your choices. I'm trying to remember what people wrote about and discussed regarding food before this obsession on "healthy". Oh yeah! I remember! Taste, appearance, aroma, enjoyment,and of course, nourishment.
