But this powerhouse of a muscle needs a lot more than love to survive and thrive.

Each September 29th, World Heart Day reminds us that habitual risk factors like eating an unhealthy diet, smoking and lack of exercise can put our hearts at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). And while it’s true that genetics and pre-existing conditions like hypertension can affect your heart health, a healthy diet and lifestyle are still the best weapons against CVD.

At https://www.healthyyouvending.com/, making healthy snacks convenient and accessible for people everywhere is our highest commitment. That’s why we put together this guide of heart healthy snacks for World Heart Day.

Keep reading to learn more about the importance of heart health, what a heart healthy diet can look like, and, of course, the best available snacks for a healthy heart today!

Why Is Heart Health Important?

Heart health is important because your heart keeps your blood pumping every single day—and if your heart’s in bad health, you’re at risk of major consequences like stroke, disability and much more.

At the same time, it’s no surprise many of us forget about the importance of a heart healthy diet. Because you never see or directly interact with your heart, it’s often a case of “out of sight, out of mind.”

Have you ever found yourself facing a large mechanic’s bill for engine repairs? Until you’re face-to-face with the consequences, it’s easy to ignore necessary maintenance—even when it’s for the most important part of your vehicle.

But while expensive, you have the option of repairing your engine or simply replacing it.

Your heart, on the other hand, is a much more precious and limited resource!

Heart Disease: The Biggest Killer in the U.S.

Now you know how poor cardiovascular health can impact your life, both day-to-day and in the long-term. But there’s another, much bigger risk: heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVD is the number one killer of adults in the U.S. And it’s nothing new—this has been the case for decades. In 2021, 1 in every five U.S. deaths was caused by CVD.

The good news is, you can seriously reduce your risk of developing CVD with a few small adjustments, like learning more about the best diet for heart health and adjusting your eating habits as needed.

What Foods Are Good for Heart Health?

Some of the proven best foods for heart health include:

• A variety of fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Low-fat dairy products
• Poultry and fish (without skin)
• Nuts and legumes
• Heart healthy oils like olive and avocado
• Fresh herbs (especially when used to replace salt and/or fat)
• Soy products (tofu)

And don’t forget that heart healthy eating habits are especially important when it comes to snacking, as we tend to overeat when on-the-go or under stress. That’s why the American Heart Association recommends eating an overall healthy diet with an emphasis on the foods listed above.

Wondering if you can build your entire diet around eating the best foods for heart health? You absolutely can.

In fact, the highly nutritious Mediterranean diet has been hailed for years as an effective, no-fuss diet for heart health.

Just be sure to always speak with your doctor before beginning a brand-new diet or exercise regime.
Because while it’s true that we all have hearts, we also have unique needs and lifestyles. Your doctor likely has specific advice and guidance on working heart healthy foods into your routine.

What To Eat for Heart Health (Especially While On-the-Go)

It’s no secret that we lead busy lives. This can make it challenging to eat healthy—whether you’re at work, running errands or juggling a bit of everything.

But did you know that vending machine snacks can be a healthy choice in many cases? It’s true! In terms of what to eat for heart health without sacrificing a huge chunk of your time, opt for:

• Dark chocolate
• Apple chips
• Coconut chips
• Dried fruit like raisins and apricots
• Nuts and seeds
• Almond butter
• Dried chickpeas
• Whole grain crackers
• Oatmeal

You see, we’re well-versed in the best snacks for heart health because here at Healthy YOU Vending, that’s been our specialty for over two decades.

And we’ve been revolutionizing the health vending industry since 1999. In our owner-operator healthy vending machines, you’ll find tasty and healthy packaged snack foods, drinks and even meals.

More importantly, our expertise has taught us a lot about the best ways to offer heart healthy foods. We constantly strive to improve the technology in our vending machines so that you have an even better experience.

For example, imagine you’re thirsty after a long walk around town. You happen upon a row of vending machines—what luck! But after paying and collecting your drink, you realize it’s lukewarm. And the Best By date printed on the bottle was two weeks ago.

Then you think, “Hey, wait… this isn’t what I ordered!” Nothing is more frustrating than trying to make a healthy choice and being stymied by things outside of your control.

Now, picture buying a drink from a temperature-controlled vending machine.

After you pay, the machine’s liberates your beverage—the correct one, we might add—and delivers it to you. Ice cold, fresh, tasty and exactly what you were craving.

We’ve spent decades making sure our owner-operators can deliver this experience time and time again..

Healthy YOU Vending: Striving for Smarter Snacks

It’s always been our mission to make managing your cardiovascular health at work easy and simple. We do so by providing a wide range of heart healthy foods in our healthy vending machines nationwide.

And with more than 2,500 healthy vending snacks, drinks and meals to choose from, Healthy YOU Vending is working harder than ever to make healthy choices convenient and accessible to everyone.

So, on World Heart Day, and every day, know that making heart healthy snack choices a part of an overall healthier eating and lifestyle plan doesn’t have to be hard. Your heart does quite a bit of important work day in and day out, so it needs the right fuel to stay healthy!

Healthy YOU Vending has set the trend in the healthy vending industry since 1999. Learn more about why Healthy YOU Vending machine snacks can be better-for-you choices, and how to get a healthy vending machine placed at your location—with zero cost and zero commitment.

How much water should you drink a day?

The amount of water necessary for proper hydration varies from person to person. Variables such as age, gender, activity level and more can impact exactly how much any one person needs. Those who are more physically active, have a fever or live in hot climates will need to consume more water to stay hydrated. On average, it is recommended that most people drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of water each day. If you were to convert this to the average 16.9-ounce bottled water, you would need to drink about three to four per day.

How to drink more water

Experts recommend sipping water throughout the day to stay healthy and hydrated. You can also get water from other sources, such as high-water content fruits and vegetables like watermelon and cucumbers.

Some days it’s tougher to meet your hydration goals. You might not be craving water or you may just get caught up in your daily activities and forget about it. However, the benefits of drinking water and staying hydrated are essential so it’s important to incorporate healthy hydration habits. Here are some tips for working water into your daily routine:

• Make it a habit. Place a refillable water bottle with hourly markings on your desk at work as a reminder to drink water throughout the day.
• Make good choices. Choose water over sugary drinks or sodas every time.
• Save money. When dining out, order water instead of other restaurant beverages so you’re saving money in addition to drinking a healthier option.
• Serve water with meals. This is a great way to keep the whole family hydrated. If a family member struggles with enjoying the taste of water, try adding lemon, lime, strawberries or watermelon for a different flavor.
• Remember your water bottle. And if you forget, stop by your local healthy vending machine and pick up a fresh bottle of water to enjoy.

Best bottled water to drink

Another great way to drink more water is to find the type of bottled water that you enjoy most. The best bottled water depends on your health needs and taste preferences. Find one you like so you’re more likely to drink it.

Bottled water comes from different locations so characteristics—and thereby flavor—may vary from brand to brand. To find the healthiest types of bottled water, check mineral content, water purity and electrolytes. Brands like Evian, Path Water, Smart Water and Fiji are all brands with a high mineral content that are beneficial for consumers.

Healthy YOU Vending can help you stay happy and hydrated. Click here to learn more about getting a Healthy YOU Vending machine at your workplace.

The best recourse, obviously, is self-control but it’s tough to resist temptation when those holiday treats are beckoning from the break room. That’s why it’s important to find balance with fruits and veggies, nuts, dark chocolate and other healthy snack options. Enjoy the flavors of the season without all the extra calories, sugar and fat—and then it won’t be quite so bad when you indulge “just this once” in your coworker’s famous Christmas fudge!

1. Charcuterie boards. Make a gorgeous arrangement that’s so healthy your guests won’t even think twice. Choose healthy snack options like hummus with pita, an assortment of cheese (including some plant-based), Nut Thins crackers, mini dill pickles and as many types of veggies as you can pile on the platter.

2. Fruit platters. Mix classic favorites and exotic fruits for a festive and healthy snack option.

3. Strawberry Santa hats and Grinch kabobs. Make eating fruit fun and festive with these adorable, fresh treats. Strawberries, grapes and just a hint of whipped cream and chocolate are delightful when the weather outside is frightful.

4. String cheese snowmen. So simple to make—and kids love them—for a sustainable boost of protein that’s perfectly portable.

5. Assorted nuts. One of the easiest healthy vending machine snacks to find around the holidays (and all year long). Packed with protein, healthy fats and other essential vitamins and minerals, nuts are a great way to feel satisfied so you don’t overdo it at the office holiday party. 

6. White chocolate popcorn. Fun to make and take to a party. Craving holiday flavors at work? Grab a bag of Boom Chicka Pop Holidrizzle White Chocolate Peppermint Kettle Corn or Skinny Pop White Chocolate Peppermint Kettle Corn in your local Healthy YOU Vending machine.

7. Dark chocolate peppermint bark. Another delicious, healthier snack option for the holidays—and one that you can DIY or find in a healthy vending machine. Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants and minerals, and it generally contains less sugar than milk chocolate.

8. Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Gingerbread Cookie. Molasses, brown sugar and ginger create the perfect nostalgic combination of holiday flavors in a soft-baked, vegan cookie enhanced with plant-based protein. Yum!

9. Candy canes. This holiday treat just got snackable with YumEarth Organic Mini Candy Canes. Cleaner ingredients like organic sugar and peppermint satisfy the tastes of the season.

10. Boom Chicka Pop. To the holiday rescue once again with Boom Chicka Pop’s Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Flavored Kettle Corn that satiates your tastebuds without expanding your waistline.

While it may seem impossible to completely resist temptation during the holidays, we can all make healthy choices that help us stay in control of what we eat. It’s okay to indulge in moderation as long as you make healthier snack choices and take time to exercise to accommodate for the extra calories. Have a Healthy YOU Vending machine at work? Ask your operator to fill it with healthy treats that embrace the flavors of the season—and you just may be able to resist those breakroom brownies!

Work fatigue is real

We know it’s true, because we’ve all experienced it. Still, feeling unfocused and unmotivated isn’t good for us—or our careers. Poor diet, lack of exercise, dehydration and too little sleep can all contribute to low energy and reduced performance at work. So, what can we do to boost energy levels and increase productivity when we’re feeling low? You may want to take a look at your daily habits, beginning with your diet.

Eat well to boost energy and performance at work

Employees who eat healthy throughout the day are 25% more likely to have higher job performance. For a full-time employee, this can mean eating several snacks and meals at work each day. Since food has a direct impact on cognitive performance, making healthful food choices during the workday can make a positive difference in employee wellness, satisfaction and productivity.

So ditch the junk food in favor of healthier vending machine snacks at work. Pack snacks or check out the convenient options in your workplace Healthy YOU Vending machine. And don’t forget these simple tips for using food to increase energy levels at work, at home or on the go

• Don’t skip meals
• Drink plenty of water
• Include fruits and veggies each day
• Eat healthy snacks throughout the day
• Avoid sugary drinks
• Skip the junk food

Walk it off

Sitting at a desk all day can make us feel sleepy. There are a couple of reasons for this. One, thinking makes us tired! If your desk job involves lots of problem solving, that can be contributing to your mental fatigue. Physically, we are simply meant to be moving around more than we do at a desk job, so it’s a good idea to get moving at work whenever you can. Take a walk, skip the elevator for the stairs, ride your bike to work—just find ways to move and boost your energy levels.

Get healthy vending at work

Don’t have a Healthy YOU Vending machine at work? Contact us to have a machine placed at no cost to your company—and no extra work on your part. Once your healthy vending machine is placed, your local owner-operator continues handle everything, ensuring that the vending machine is always stocked with healthier snacks, drinks and meals to keep employees satisfied and productive.

Go Bananas

Bananas are a potassium powerhouse, with a wide variety of vital minerals and nutrients. They have vitamin B6 which helps produce red blood cells and maintain the nervous system, plus vitamin C and magnesium which can help with brain health, skin health and blood pressure. Bananas also help with digestion and energy. If you need a boost to power through the day, join all of the other banana enthusiasts in August to celebrate Banana Lovers Day. While you’re at it, check your local Healthy YOU Vending machine for whole food banana chips like Funky Monkey Bananamon for crunch satisfaction without the junk food calories.

An Apple a Day

Apples not only keep the doctor away, but also help to protect against heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and even some cancers. They may even offer protection against diseases like Alzheimer’s. Apples are a great source of fiber; they help with healthy weight loss and improve your immune system. So the next time you see a Healthy YOU Vending machine, head on over to get a package of Bare Apple Chips or a squeezable applesauce and enjoy a delicious, healthy treat.

Photo by: Breaking Pic on Pexels

Millions of Peaches

Peaches rank high on our list of favorite fruits, providing up to nine percent of daily fibers and ten percent of vitamin C. As a moderate source of antioxidants, peaches help keep your body running smoothly while avoiding high calories and preservatives that can negatively affect your health. Along with these nutrients, they also supply vitamin A which improves vision, vitamin E which keeps the immune system strong, potassium which strengthens bones and fluoride to protect teeth. Make sure you reap the benefits of this fruit in August aka National Eat a Peach Day. And if you haven’t tried freeze dried peach slices, you’re missing out!

Berry Good for You

Low in calories but high in nutrients, blueberries are one of the best super foods out there, featuring antioxidants to help protect against certain cancers and reduce levels of LDL cholesterol. These delicious gems help to lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease and improve memory. They also help to fight urinary tract infections, improve insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes and help to reduce muscle damage. All in all, blueberries are small but powerful fruits that improve your physical and mental health. Consider stocking freeze-dried berries or berry fruit leathers in your healthy vending machine for a tasty, healthy snack customers will love.

More and more, consumers are making the decision every day to cut sugar- and sodium-laden junk food in favor of whole foods as part of a clean eating plan. When eaten in moderation, fruits are one of the best types of food to include in a whole food diet. They help mental processes, have antioxidant benefits that can help prevent illnesses and they balance body systems. Seek out your local Healthy YOU Vending machine fruit snacks and grab a portable version of these amazing superfoods to stay healthy on-the-go.

Chances are you know someone who has been affected by heart disease. February is American Heart Month, and it’s an ideal time to encourage friends and loved ones to make heart health a priority.

Every year, one in four deaths are caused by heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. The American Heart Association’s 2018 heart disease reports these startling statistics:

Heart disease risk factors

Nearly half of all Americans have at least one risk factor for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity or an unhealthy diet. Risk also increases with age. Over the past several decades, we have learned much about factors that contribute to heart disease, how to monitor those triggers and ways to treat and prevent them.

Living healthy means making healthy choices

While you can’t change things like age or genetics, the good news is that making healthy diet and lifestyle changes can improve heart health. According to the American Heart Association, even modest changes can reduce risk of heart disease and stroke. Research shows that refraining from tobacco use, lowering blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can lead to living longer and better lives.

Making healthy choices easier

HealthyYOU Vending is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and reducing the number of Americans who suffer from heart disease every year, by providing convenient access to healthier snacks, meals and drinks at work and on the go. Look for these heart-healthy options in your local HealthyYOU Vending machine:

Oatmeal

This superfood is packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber. That means it can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood glucose levels, while improving intestinal health.
HealthyYOU Vending recommends: Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods single-serve oatmeal

Berries

Berries are some of the healthiest foods you can eat: low in calories and high in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. Fresh or even dried single-serve options such as Goji berries are a true powerhouse, containing protein, 20 vitamins and minerals, more antioxidants than oranges and more iron than spinach.
HealthyYOU Vending recommends: Navitas Organics Dried Goji Berries

Dark chocolate

Studies show that daily consumption of dark chocolate may benefit the heart by lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and having a beneficial effect on cholesterol. The findings apply to chocolate containing at least 60-70% cocoa – so choose antioxidant-rich dark chocolate over sugar-laden candy for best health benefits.
HealthyYOU Vending recommends: 70% or higher dark chocolate bar

Nuts

Good for your heart and for your taste buds, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts and macadamia nuts contain fiber and vitamin E, which helps lower bad cholesterol.
HealthyYOU Vending recommends: Wonderful Almonds

Coconut chips

Coconut is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which have many potential heart-health benefits. It also contains healthy fats and fiber.
Recommended healthy vending snack: Dang Coconut Chips

American Heart Month is a great time to join HealthyYOU Vending in the fight against heart disease. Get a no-cost healthy vending machine, stocked with heart-healthy snack and meal options, at your location today.

The number one recommendation for people who are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease is eliminating grains. Bread and other gluten-rich foods were once thought of as a healthy staple and edible by nearly anyone, but this mysteriously began to change a few decades ago.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as barley, rye and wheat. Gluten is the ingredient that gives bread the pleasantly chewy and elastic qualities that appetites love. It is the only protein you can find in foods that happens to be completely indigestible. These molecules that don’t see safe passage through the digestive system sometimes slip through the intestinal lining, causing inflammation for those who are intolerant.

The small intestine is lined with projections called villi that aid the body in the duty of absorbing nutrients. In those with celiac disease, gluten attacks the lining of the small intestine and also triggers the immune system to aggressively attack the villi. Over time, the villi will suffer longstanding, sometimes irreversible, damage.

Once the villi are damaged, the entire body can no longer absorb the appropriate amount of nutrients. They simply pass through the digestive tract, causing multiple symptoms and correlated health issues. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services claims that one in 141 people in the United States suffers from celiac disease.

Longstanding Benefits of the Gluten-Free Diet

The benefits of a gluten-free diet can be realized by many who suffer from digestive disorders. Gluten intolerance levels range from lower levels of gluten sensitivity all the way to full-blown celiac disease. However, it’s important to note that jumping on the gluten-free bandwagon isn’t necessarily the healthiest choice for some individuals without gluten sensitivity, as it may cut out some key nutrients.

Nixing gluten can also help those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The starches and sugars commonly found in many foods on the “no” list for a gluten-free diet are easily fermented by intestinal bacteria—further aggravating the digestive tract of those with IBS.

All of this can cause bloating, cramping and other discomforts. For any kind of gluten intolerance or celiac disease, the only treatment is committing to a gluten-free diet.

The All-Important Energy Level

Chronic fatigue can be one of the early warning signs of those with gluten sensitivity. Consuming gluten-containing products damages the intestines of those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity and prevents nutrients like iron from properly distributing throughout the body. This iron deficiency can result in extreme fatigue. After adopting a gluten-free diet, the intestines undergo a healing period that restores the ability to properly absorb nutrients.

Alleviating Headaches

There are not many ailments that dole out the constant discomfort and annoying pain of a headache. Scientists have discovered that the gut and brain have a close link, which is more important than they first thought. Studies show that those who have gluten intolerance and celiac disease are much more likely to suffer from migraines. Switching to a gluten-free diet can reduce nagging or debilitating headaches.

The Reduction of Hair Loss

When our hair suffers from a lack of nutrients, there is a direct link to what we all fear the most: hair loss. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are directly linked to these deficiencies. Completely cutting out the food sources that have gluten is the only solution. When you embark on this task, keep in mind that the amount of gluten found in just one small crouton could be enough to have negative effects.

The Reoccurring Risk of Thyroid Problems

Eating gluten has been shown to negatively impact the thyroid. But research shows that taking part in a gluten-free diet reduces the antibodies commonly associated with thyroid disease. When the immune system makes an error and attacks the thyroid gland, it can result in symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, shaking, restlessness, fever, weakness in the muscles and weight loss.

The Autism Spectrum

Some children and adults with autism have seen improvement by switching to a gluten-free and casein-free diet. However, this is observational and not clinically conclusive. Since some autistic subjects are nonverbal, it can be difficult to know exactly how effective gluten-free diets are in improving autism.

Healthy YOU Vending Offers Healthy, Gluten-Free Choices

One important thing to take note of in regard to gluten is the amount of processing it goes through before its inclusion in food. However, many goods, like pretzels, crackers, pizza dough and pancakes, can now be replaced with new gluten-free options. Thankfully, there is an abundance of brands on the market that are creating fantastic alternatives that still tempt your taste buds while keeping you healthy!

Healthy YOU Vending has been the trendsetter in the healthy vending industry for more than 20 years. We help offer wholesome snacks, drinks and entrées to busy on-the-goers in offices, gyms, hotels and many other locations throughout the country. Our independent operators provide a wide selection of gluten-free products sure to meet the diet requirements of those with celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities. If you’re interested in getting a healthy vending machine at your place of work, or where you go to burn some calories, click here.

Here are five stress-busting nutrients you should be putting on your plate:

Dark Chocolate

Yes, that chocolate. The chocolate that the Mayans praised as “of the gods” centuries ago and has been loved around the world ever since. Dark chocolate fights stress in two ways—emotionally and chemically. First, it simply feels good to eat. And that indulgent feeling alone can help reduce stress. Second, antioxidant-rich dark chocolate has been shown to actually reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body. But keep in mind, if you’re planning on implementing dark chocolate as a way to improve mental health, choose a high-quality bar free of added sugars, which can actually increase stress.

Whole Grains

According to research, carbohydrates can increase the level of serotonin—known as the “happy chemical” for its ability to boost mood and reduce stress. Just make sure to carb up with healthy foods and whole grains. Brown rice, oatmeal, popcorn and whole-wheat bread are all worthy options. Even many modern packaged snacks and entrées include stress-smashing healthy carbohydrates and whole grains.

Nuts

Ah, nuts! But nuts are full of good-for-you nutrients. According to one study, pistachios may reduce your body’s response to the stresses of everyday life. But it’s not only these fun-to-break-open nuts that can benefit your mental health. Almonds and walnuts can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. But remember, everything in moderation, and nuts are no exception. One-half cup of shelled pistachios with no salt added has 170 calories. And the same amount of walnuts packs about 260 calories. However, experts have been quick to point out that nuts, although high in calories, come with some serious essential nutrients.

Vitamin C

From broccoli to oranges, an uptick in vitamin C intake has been shown to help reign in stress levels. Other studies have shown that vitamin C may actually decrease anxiety. Everybody knows oranges come packed with this natural disease-fighting antioxidant, but what are your other options when you’ve just had one too many glasses of orange juice? Tomatoes, spinach, green and red peppers, strawberries, sweet potatoes and kiwis are just a few of the whole foods that are rich in vitamin C.

Probiotics

One of the best ways to support a healthy gut is with probiotics. These good bacteria can help boost the immune system, protect against bad bacteria, aid digestion and improve the absorption of nutrients. So, what does gut health have to do with stress? Studies show that having good gut health has a direct correlation to improving anxiety, depression and mood. Anyone who has struggled with gut issues will understand a healthy and happy tummy means an improved mood. Yogurt, kombucha and kefir are all great food sources of probiotics, although it is also commonly available in supplement form.

Healthy YOU Vending

If you’re stressed, consider introducing or adding more of these nutrients to your diet. From the mood-enhancing benefits of dark chocolate to the gut-improving power of probiotics, natural mental health enhancers are all around you (and, really, who’s going to complain about adding dark chocolate to their diet?).

Healthy YOU Vending provides convenient access to healthy snacks, drinks and entrées in workplaces, gyms, schools and more throughout the country. If your workplace has a vending machine full of sugary sodas and greasy potato chips, request healthy vending instead. Your body and mind will thank you (oh, and your co-workers).

As you would expect, for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, the side effects of nixing gluten include a reduction in, or complete eradication, of symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Gas
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Constipation
• Depression

But what about those individuals without gluten-related disorders?

Since many gluten-free substitutes lack the nutritional value of the products they’re replacing, nutrient deficiencies are possible. These deficiencies, and related side effects, include:

• Fiber—The most common symptom of not getting enough fiber is constipation and bloating. Oddly, this is also a symptom of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, which is one reason why self-diagnosing for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity is not recommended.
• Vitamin D—One of the most important things vitamin D does is keep the immune system strong, allowing the body to fend off illness-causing viruses and bacteria. So, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to more sick days.
• Vitamin B12—Vitamin B12 plays a big role in the production of red blood cells and DNA. A deficiency of B12 can lead to weakness and fatigue, as red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body.
• Iron—Like vitamin B12, iron helps in the production of red blood cells. An iron deficiency means the body may not be getting enough oxygen to essential organs and tissues, leading to drowsiness, pale skin, shortness of breath and headaches or dizziness.
• Zinc—This mineral helps fight infections in the body and produce cells. A zinc deficiency can lead to unexplained weight loss, wounds that won’t heal, diarrhea, loss of appetite or even open sores.
• Magnesium—A magnesium deficiency can lead to muscle cramps and weakness, high blood pressure and even osteoporosis. This is due to the mineral’s essential role in maintaining normal nerve and muscle function, as well as supporting a healthy immune system.

If experiencing symptoms of gluten-related disorders, such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, fatigue and depression, consult a doctor to appropriately diagnose celiac disease or gluten intolerance. But, for those without celiac disease or other gluten intolerances, removing it from a healthy diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies and associated negative side effects.

Healthy YOU Vending offers nutritious snacks, drinks and entrées to stay energized throughout the day. Visit our website to learn more about our product offering or to request a Healthy YOU Vending machine at work.

By a surprising margin, 70 percent of Millennials surveyed said they prefer snacking throughout the day, as opposed to eating larger meals. This is little wonder as modern, busy lifestyles demand unceasing attention. Taking the time to indulge in a home-cooked meal may at times seem like mere nostalgia in an ever-connected world.

But a penchant for eating on the go is far from the only thing to glean from the report. For 87 percent of those polled, convenience was a top factor impacting snack choice. And 80 percent of consumers reported that they look for healthy, balanced bites. Consumers want not only convenient snacks, but healthy ones at that.

Eating healthy, quality snacks throughout the day can be beneficial to your health. According to nutritionists, snacks can fill in nutrient gaps and lead to a healthier eating plan

Mondelēz International’s State of Snacking report also uncovered more findings than just how consumers’ dietary preferences are changing. Seventy-one percent of respondents said snacks are just as important to their mental well-being as their physical health. And 82 percent reported utilizing snack time as a way to connect with their children.

Science backs this consumer sentiment toward the impact snacks can have on mental well-being. According to research what employees eat during the workday has an impact on mental acuity, energy levels and overall performance.

A Healthy YOU Vending machine provides the sought-after, convenient access to wholesome, quality snacks and drinks. Healthy snacking at work prevents hunger and the inevitable, and associated, overeating at mealtime.

And getting a Healthy YOU Vending machine in your place of work is easy. Worried about the cost? Don’t be. You can have a Healthy YOU Vending machine placed at absolutely no cost to your company.

Our machines can stock a total of 337 products, including 21 different snack and eight drink options. And for those quick and healthy meals, a Healthy YOU Vending machine can stock 16 entrée and side dish selections with the optional SmartMart Side Vendor. For even more convenience, our payment and media console accepts bills up to $20 and are equipped with a credit/debit card reader and contactless payment technologies.

So, what are you waiting for? Healthy YOU Vending meets the challenge of offering healthy and convenient snacks and drinks to meet consumers’ changing dietary preferences.