National Nutrition Month 2018: Go Further With Food

March is National Nutrition Month, and this year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging Americans to “Go Further with Food.” Whether it’s starting the day off right with a healthy breakfast or fueling up with a healthy snack to get through work or school, a little meal planning can go a long way.

Prep for Success

Meal planning doesn’t require lots of time, money and sweat equity in the kitchen — a healthy meal doesn’t have to be complicated. These days eating healthier is easier than ever. Keep it simple by dedicating a little time over the weekend to shopping, prepping and planning, and then fill in the blanks with healthier versions of your favorite packaged snacks and meals.

Pro tip: Plan ahead by checking the healthy vending machine at work to see if your favorites are available!

The Foods You Choose Make A Difference

Studies show that healthy eating has a positive impact on mental alertness, energy levels and overall performance, as well as staving off the hunger pangs that can cause overeating at mealtimes. Smart snacking can and should be a part of your healthy eating plan. The key is choosing snacks carefully and incorporating them sensibly throughout the day in order to:

• Prevent overeating
• Reduce stress
• Improve focus and productivity
• Provide a boost of energy
• Improve physical health over time

Better Health Equals A Healthier Bottom Line

Studies also show that medical costs decrease by about $3.27 for every dollar spent on workplace wellness programs. Healthier employees also equate to fewer hospital stays and increased productivity.

Healthy Kids, Successful Students 

Healthy eating is important no matter how old you are. Evidence shows that student health is linked to academic achievement. For example, skipping breakfast is associated with decreased cognitive performance, and hunger is associated with lower grades, higher rates of absenteeism and an inability to focus.

Pro tip: Talk to your kids about the importance of staying fueled throughout the day and what makes a snack healthy.

Convenience Leads To Healthier Choices

Making healthy snacking choices works best when you convenient choices are readily available. In schools, healthy vending machine snacks are a legitimate source of competitive foods and provide delicious, healthier snacks that kids love (parents and teachers do, too!). At work, HealthyYOU Vending’s state-of-the-art machines offer the convenience of payment by smartphone, credit/debit card, Google Wallet and other mobile payments, plus the ability to program in meal deals for employees looking for something more substantial than a snack.

Pro tip: Add a new dimension to your workplace healthy vending machine by requesting a machine with the optional SmartMart Side Vendor. 

HealthyYOU Vending Supports Healthy Choices 

Each day, millions of Americans look to vending machines for a quick snack to fight off the mid-afternoon munchies. HealthyYOU Vending is dedicated to providing healthier snack choices for Americans with over 2,500 healthy vending choices to choose from. Each machine holds up to 335 products, so you’re sure to find something healthy that you love.

Make Nutrition Month the start of healthier habits. To learn more about the HealthyYOU Difference, and how you can get a free healthy vending machine at your location, visit www.www.healthyyouvending.com/.