Most vending machines are stocked full of junk food. With a bit of planning it is possible to replace those snacks with foods that will nourish your body.
The challenge is to balance convenience with nutrition.
Here is a pictorial guide to a selection of healthy snacks - and remember - healthy eating is not just about the number of calories*.
Raw Almonds Serving shown: 20 almonds
Calories: 139
Raw Mixed Nuts Serving shown: 30g / ~1oz
Calories: 178
Dried Fruit Serving shown: 40g / 1.4oz
Calories: 97
Note: Dried fruits are more calorie dense (per weight) than fresh fruit - and are easier to overeat.
Mandarin Serving shown: 180g, 1 medium & 1 small.
Calories: 95
Note: Great packaging. Small portions. Seasonal
Apple Serving shown: 185g / 6.5oz
Calories: 96
Banana Serving shown: 1 medium banana - 118g
Calories: 105
Note: Nicely prepackaged.
Grapes Serving shown: 215g / 7.6oz
Calories: 148
Note: Seasonal
Tuna Serving shown: 85g / 3oz
Calories: 99
Note: Be wary of tuna in oil - many of the oils are vegetable oils (high in omega-6 rather than omega-3 EFA's).
Dried Peas Serving shown: 25g / .9oz
Calories: 72
Note: Find in bulk bins - often with different seasonings.
Popcorn Serving shown: 2 cups
Calories: 62 (air-popped)
Calories:110 (oil-popped)
No condiments added.
Note: Avoid per-packaged popcorn (often contains trans fat).
Baby Carrots Serving shown: 170g / 6oz
Calories: 60
Note: Convenient - can buy pre-washed and pre-bagged.
Celery & Hummus Serving shown: 40g / 1.4oz hummus
Calories: 108
Note: Buy celery pre-cut and pre-washed. Goes well with many other dips.
Cherry Tomatoes Serving shown: 150g / 1 Cup
Calories: 27
Note: Seasonal.
Whole-grain Crispbread with Cottage Cheese Serving shown: 1 cracker + ~45g (1.5oz) cottage cheese (light)
Calories: 70
Note: Aim for crispbreads or crackers that are completely whole grain and have a minimal amount of oil.
Bean Salad 80g / 2.8oz
Calories: 90
Functional Fruit
All fruits are great - however many have a very short season (berries, peaches, nectarines) and others can be a bit too messy if you are at work (grapefruit, oranges, melon).
It's Not Just About Calories
Some snacks may be low in calories, but lack in other essential nutrients. Some snacks do nothing to satisfy the appetite. What's the point in saving 20 calories just to be gnawingly hungry 15 minutes later? No vending machine will be safe from you...
Not Everyone Needs to Snack
For some people - three square meals works fine. For others, snacking is a way of life - and without a little pre-planning - most of those snacks will not be the best choices.
Snacking is a great way to maintain even energy levels and manage hunger and prevent bingeing.
Building Positive Habits
Snacking is habit forming. Switch out bad food choices for good ones - and before you know it - your 3 hourly pilgrimage to the vending machine will be a thing of the past.
NOTE: All items were carefully weighed and measured. Calorie amounts came from the USDA nutrient database or from labels.
The challenge is to balance convenience with nutrition.
Here is a pictorial guide to a selection of healthy snacks - and remember - healthy eating is not just about the number of calories*.
Calories: 139
Calories: 178
Calories: 97
Note: Dried fruits are more calorie dense (per weight) than fresh fruit - and are easier to overeat.
Calories: 95
Note: Great packaging. Small portions. Seasonal
Calories: 96
Calories: 105
Note: Nicely prepackaged.
Calories: 148
Note: Seasonal
Calories: 99
Note: Be wary of tuna in oil - many of the oils are vegetable oils (high in omega-6 rather than omega-3 EFA's).
Calories: 72
Note: Find in bulk bins - often with different seasonings.
Calories: 62 (air-popped)
Calories:110 (oil-popped)
No condiments added.
Note: Avoid per-packaged popcorn (often contains trans fat).
Calories: 60
Note: Convenient - can buy pre-washed and pre-bagged.
Calories: 108
Note: Buy celery pre-cut and pre-washed. Goes well with many other dips.
Calories: 27
Note: Seasonal.
Calories: 70
Note: Aim for crispbreads or crackers that are completely whole grain and have a minimal amount of oil.
Calories: 90
Functional Fruit
All fruits are great - however many have a very short season (berries, peaches, nectarines) and others can be a bit too messy if you are at work (grapefruit, oranges, melon).
It's Not Just About Calories
Some snacks may be low in calories, but lack in other essential nutrients. Some snacks do nothing to satisfy the appetite. What's the point in saving 20 calories just to be gnawingly hungry 15 minutes later? No vending machine will be safe from you...
Not Everyone Needs to Snack
For some people - three square meals works fine. For others, snacking is a way of life - and without a little pre-planning - most of those snacks will not be the best choices.
Snacking is a great way to maintain even energy levels and manage hunger and prevent bingeing.
Building Positive Habits
Snacking is habit forming. Switch out bad food choices for good ones - and before you know it - your 3 hourly pilgrimage to the vending machine will be a thing of the past.
NOTE: All items were carefully weighed and measured. Calorie amounts came from the USDA nutrient database or from labels.
