Top 10 Vending Machine Snacks
Like the post? Add Your Comments | | |
You try to walk past it, but you can't seem to look away. All the pretty colors. All the choices. All the temptation. What? When did we they start putting that in there? Ohhhh… I want it! And that's how they get you. Before you know it, you've plunked in 65 cents, pressed B5 and scarfed down two king-size Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Damn you, vending machine!
On your good days, you're able to avoid the vending machine voodoo, but during the occasional weak moment… we understand. Not that we're saying it's OK to give in to temptation, but if your quarters accidentally fly into the change slot and you're forced to choose something (you wouldn't want to waste money, would you?), we'll help you pick the lesser of all the evils.
First, here's the list of most popular vending machine snacks by sales totals, according to Automatic Merchandiser:
1. Snickers
2. Doritos Big Grab
3. Peanut M&Ms
4. Cheetos Crunchy
5. Cheez-It Original
6. Twix Bar
7. Strawberry Frosted Pop-Tarts
8. Rice Krispies Treat
9. Lay's Chips
10. Mrs. Freshley's Jumbo Honey Buns
Clearly, there's nothing "diet" about anything on this list. But if you had to pick something to munch on, our Director of Nutrition Services, Pam Ofstein, suggests you stick to the Rice Krispie Treat, Cheez-Its or Pop-Tarts (but only if you can eat one -- we all know there are two delicious pastries in each package…).
Rice Krispies (90 calories, 2.5g fat, 17 carbs for one bar) easily took the top spot, but choosing the other "healthiest" options was a little tougher. "Where some may be lower in calories, they make up for it in fat or carbs," Ofstein says. "It really just comes down to picking the best choice overall."
So which most-popular snacks on this list should you absolutely steer clear of? "Hands down, the Doritos Big Grab chips and the honey buns," Ofstein says. One single-serving bag of Doritos weighs in at a diet-wrecking 410 calories, 21g of fat and 30 carbs. And Mrs. Freshley's Honey Buns are even worse -- 590 calories, 29g fat and 76 carbs (Fun fact: The average slice of wheat bread has 12 carbs. That means you'd have to eat about 6.5 slices of bread to get the same amount of carbs as ONE honey bun!).
The bottom line is, any of these are a heck of a lot of "bad stuff" to waste on a little snack. I mean, if I was going to eat 590 calories, I'd much rather indulge on savory feast than one measly honey bun. Right?
Anyway, if I was to be bad, my pick of the list would be the Peanut M&Ms. How about you? Leave a comment below and pick your poison!
Comment: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:12:00 AM - 
Mark Salinas said...
I guess the point is to avoid the vending machine? Good post!:)
Mark Salinas, MN
Comment: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 12:42:00 PM - 
Christine said...
Some machines have bags of nuts, teddy grahams, raisins or trail mix. I think it is worth lobbying the vendors at your office to get good snacks.
Comment: Thursday, June 05, 2008 12:33:00 AM - said...
If I was in a bind, I would go for the peanut M&Ms too. Peanuts provide some good protien and the chocolate perks you up. I just carry extra in my brown bag lunch. I never can plan ahead for days that turn into 12 or 14 hour marathon runs. prepacking my cooler bag the night before really helps. I also plan for 2 snacks. I don't always need them but it is very good to have them so I can resist the peanutbutter cookies in that pesky vending machine. Another trick I have is tucking a 'fun size' chocolate treat. I can enjoy the treat with less diet damage than getting the full size and it is easier on the wallet too. A bag of 15 to 20 small bars / bags is about $3.00 but to get just 1 full size bar in the machine is $.75.
Comment: Monday, July 21, 2008 8:43:00 PM - Thrive 9 to 5: said...
The trail mix or bag of peanuts is always a healthy choice. High in protein and good fats, and a good energy boost.
Diet and Fitness Blog is powered by eDiets.com
 |
 |
 |
|
RSS/XML
