Most people try to eat healthy at least some of the time, but due to the fast pace of everyday working life, that can be a challenge. There’s a reason fast food is so commonly consumed in America. Vending machines offer quick and tasty options too, though sometimes their selections aren’t the healthiest.
Do healthy vending machine snacks exist? That depends on what one would define as healthy. There are some options that are healthier than others, and those are what we’ll focus on in this article.
Here are some relatively healthy vending machine snacks for 2022.
Pretzels
For a snack, many people like to indulge in something that’s crunchy and salty. Because of this, most vending machines supply multiple varieties of potato chips, but pretzels can be a slightly healthier alternative for those who crave something crispy to munch on.
Peanuts and trail mix
These two are lumped together because sometimes vending machines will only stock one Planters product. Planters makes small packages of peanuts available in different varieties that offer a salty fix on the go. They also make a trail mix that contains various types of nuts and fruit. Both options would be healthier than some of the other usual vending machine options like chips or candy bars.
Granola bars
Do healthy vending machine snacks exist? Yes, in the form of granola bars. Perfect for those who need a quick bite, granola bars are some of the healthier selections you’ll find in vending machines. Quaker’s famous Chewy low-fat granola bars are usually about 110 calories, and Nature Valley offers a two-pack of granola bars for about 180 calories in total. If you need something a little more robust, Clif Bars are 250 calories and offer 9 grams of protein.
Popcorn
This is one of the rare vending machine snacks where the brand will dictate how healthy the snack item will be. If given the choice, you could opt for Smartfood Popcorn or Pirate’s Booty in lieu of Jay’s O-Ke-Doke Cheese Popcorn. In making this distinction, you can still have your popcorn, but without the guilt (or cheesy fingers).
Dried fruit
As people are becoming more health conscious, vending machine stocking companies are adapting. You may be able to find small packages of dried fruit like raisins, cranberries or apricots in vending machines. If not, you can always choose the fruit and nut trail mix we discussed above, as you’ll get a healthy combination of salty and sweet flavors.
Beef jerky
We’ll close out this list of healthy vending machine snacks for 2022 with an old standby: beef jerky. It’s a popular item stocked in vending machines because it can be stored for months without needing to be refrigerated. While it’s true that beef jerky contains considerable amounts of salt and fat, its high protein content can do just fine in a pinch if your goal is to consume a filling snack and fend off hunger.
Call to have your vending machine stocked today
Whether your customers prefer candy bars or granola bars, give us a call at VSI Vending & Coffee Services. We have over 20 years of vending industry experience, and we’re on the cutting edge when it comes to customer consumption trends, so call us today to discuss some healthy and even freshly-made options for your company’s vending machines.