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By Mary Bodel
Vending machines are an easy way to get a snack or a drink. They can also provide extra money for the schools they operate in. However, most of them don't provide anything healthy. We, as a community, could change that.
Let's look at the different areas of interest for the kids. Is there a healthy way to promote good nutrition, even from a vending machine? I think so.
Beverages: Soda pop is one of the favorite beverages of childhood. It's also loaded with sugar and other unsavory things, making most of them a poor choice. Fruit flavored drinks can be just as bad, but what about putting water, 100% real fruit juice and even milk in the machine? Yes, you'd have to change it out regularly, but it would be a much better solution.
Savory Snacks: Potato and flavored tortilla chips are often the choices available, but neither of them are particularly good nutrition wise, and they can cause weight gain. Even pretzels could be a problem. On the other hand, there are now single serving packets of many veggies. Celery and peanut butter would help, and carrots with salad dressing also a good alternative. Like the beverages, they'd have to be changed regularly, but the nutrition value is worth it. Low fat or fat free cheese may be useful. Baked chips and lightly salted nuts have a longer shelf life and would be ideal.
Sweet Snacks: Chocolates, cookies and other sweet treats can be very enticing, but they aren't good choices. Apples, berries, oranges and other fresh fruits are wiser. In the supermarket, they are already carrying single serving apples with caramel sauce.
These are a few suggestions for change, but there could be many more. I encourage all parents to look for solutions, not just the ones I've mentioned, but find additions. If you find a vending machine that has healthy products, make note of them. You may also want to sit down and talk to your child's school and/or the school board. They can look into the issue from the aspect of an authority and that will greatly increase your chances for success.
My last suggestion is that you teach your children how to make the right choices when it comes to food. While schools shouldn't ignore this issue, it's our job as parents to make sure our kids know what to choose and why it's important.
READ MORE - Vending Machine Snacks and Health Issues
Vending machines are an easy way to get a snack or a drink. They can also provide extra money for the schools they operate in. However, most of them don't provide anything healthy. We, as a community, could change that.
Let's look at the different areas of interest for the kids. Is there a healthy way to promote good nutrition, even from a vending machine? I think so.
Beverages: Soda pop is one of the favorite beverages of childhood. It's also loaded with sugar and other unsavory things, making most of them a poor choice. Fruit flavored drinks can be just as bad, but what about putting water, 100% real fruit juice and even milk in the machine? Yes, you'd have to change it out regularly, but it would be a much better solution.
Savory Snacks: Potato and flavored tortilla chips are often the choices available, but neither of them are particularly good nutrition wise, and they can cause weight gain. Even pretzels could be a problem. On the other hand, there are now single serving packets of many veggies. Celery and peanut butter would help, and carrots with salad dressing also a good alternative. Like the beverages, they'd have to be changed regularly, but the nutrition value is worth it. Low fat or fat free cheese may be useful. Baked chips and lightly salted nuts have a longer shelf life and would be ideal.
Sweet Snacks: Chocolates, cookies and other sweet treats can be very enticing, but they aren't good choices. Apples, berries, oranges and other fresh fruits are wiser. In the supermarket, they are already carrying single serving apples with caramel sauce.
These are a few suggestions for change, but there could be many more. I encourage all parents to look for solutions, not just the ones I've mentioned, but find additions. If you find a vending machine that has healthy products, make note of them. You may also want to sit down and talk to your child's school and/or the school board. They can look into the issue from the aspect of an authority and that will greatly increase your chances for success.
My last suggestion is that you teach your children how to make the right choices when it comes to food. While schools shouldn't ignore this issue, it's our job as parents to make sure our kids know what to choose and why it's important.
