Benefits of Healthy Snacking — National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, and it’s a great time to take stock of your eating habits. Focusing your awareness on what (and when) you’re eating can be the key to making informed food choices. The benefits of healthy snacking can go a long way toward improving your overall health. Are you:

• Eating at least five cups of fruits and vegetables each day?

• Choosing lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and nuts?

• Limiting added sugar, salt and saturated fats?

• Avoiding skipping meals?

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, sensible snacking can and should be a part of your healthy eating plan — as long as you choose your snacks carefully and plan ahead. A HealthyYOU Vending machine at your school or place of business brings the benefits of healthy snacking to students and employees by providing healthy snacks throughout the day. Healthy snacking can prevent overeating, and is also a great way to supply needed nutrients that we may miss during mealtimes — especially for active kids and growing teens. Other benefits of healthy snacking during the day include:

• Reduce stress, improve focus and productivity: Healthy snacks can give anyone a boost of energy. In fact, studies show that what employees and students eat during the workday has an impact on mental acuity, energy, and overall performance.

• Better health equals a healthier bottom line: Studies show that employees who participate in wellness programs at work reported improved physical health and fewer hospital stays. Another study found that medical costs fall about $3.27 for every dollar spent on wellness programs.

• Convenience: People tend to consume more of the foods that are readily available, so don’t let a lack of healthy snacks hinder access to good nutrition. An on-site healthy vending machine stocked with nutritious, organic, low-fat, low-calorie, gluten-free or kosher options provides the ultimate in convenience and healthy snacking choices.

You can start making small yet impactful changes to your health right now by incorporating simple, healthy snacking habits. Make calories count by choosing healthy snacks that provide the right kind of nutrients. Plan your healthy snacks ahead of time so you won’t be tempted by junk food when you’re bored or stressed — and only snack when you’re hungry. Practice portion control by snacking on single-size servings (another great benefit to choosing snacks from a HealthyYOU Vending machine). And be sure to stay hydrated — as we often overeat because we think we’re hungry when we’re really thirsty.

Making healthy snacking choices works best when you have convenient choices, and a HealthyYOU Vending machine provides just the healthy snack options you’re craving. Find out how to get HealthyYOU Vending at your school or workplace.