Choosing Healthy Foods
:: Nutrition Pitfalls: Vending Machines and Meetings

It can be difficult to make healthy choices at meetings and when using vending machines simply because healthy choices are not always available.

Become a healthy choice advocate for your workplace.

Meetings

Try these healthy alternatives at your next meeting:

• Low fat muffins
• Bagels with light cream cheese or jam
• Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables
• Granola bars
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice
• Water
• 1% or skim milk

Vending Machines

When your energy drops during the workday it's easy to make a trip to the closest vending machine. But most vending machines are packed with items high in fat and sugar which may make you feel even worse after eating them.

Most vending machine companies are open to suggestions by the customers they serve. It may be easier if you present them with some healthy suggestions.

Try these healthy alternatives:

Non-Refrigerated Vending Machines

• Crispy rice squares
• Nature squares
• Pretzels
• Grain or cereal bars
• Fruit bars
• Tuna and Crackers
• Almonds - nuts
• Tinned Fruit

Refrigerated Food Vending Machines

• Crispy rice squares
• Nature squares
• Pretzels
• Grain bars
• Fruit bars
• Tuna and Crackers
• Almonds - nuts
• Tinned Fruit
• Yogurt
• Fresh fruit
• Veggie sticks with dip
• Cheese and crackers
• Fruit salad
• Green salad with low fat dressing
• Sandwiches made with whole grain bread, vegetables, lean meats, fish, lower fat cheese and little or no mayo, margarine or butter

Beverage Vending Machines

• Water
• 100% fruit juice
• Vegetable juice
• 2%, 1% and skim milk including chocolate milk

Healthy Eating for Busy People