Healthy Vending Machines: The Best Snacks to Stock in 2025
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For better or worse, snacking is an important part of most Americans' work day. While many consumers are reaching for unhealthy snacks packed with sugar, unhealthy fats, and processed junk, there are healthy vending machine options you can stock your machines with to reach consumers where they're at.
Here's our list of the best health vending machine snacks that you should absolutely stock your machines with!
Fresh and dried fruit: Fruits are high in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. They're a healthy alternative to sugary and heavily processed snacks like fruit snacks or candy.
Dried fruits — like raisins, apricots, and banana chips — retain much of their nutritional profile while also providing quick energy from natural sugars.
With wellnes trends on the rise, more consumers are looking for healthy, guilt-free snacking options. Fruits, like pre-packaged apple slices, fruit cuts, banana chips, and healthy trail mix, are grab-and-go friendly options. Dried fruits have the added advantage of being non-perishable and not requiring any refrigeration.
Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are powerhouse snacks that offer nutrition, convenience, and shelf stability. They're ideal for healthy vending machines.
Almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, and trail mix provide long-lasting energy and curb cravings that can harm productivity in the workplace. The best part is these snacks are often portion-controlled and portable, offering single-serve packs for on-the-go snack appeal.
Whether you're a gym, office building, apartment complex, or manufacturing facility, make sure you add nuts and seeds to your healthy vending machine mix!
Protein bars: It seems like protein is in everything these days, and the original protein bar is one of the best ways to hit your protein goals when you're in a hurry. Protein bars can have upwards of 20 grams of protein per serving, which is hard to find in any other snack option.
Many protein bars, such as RX bars, are made with real ingredients like fresh fruits, nuts, and egg whites. Avoid protein bars with too much sugar, as these can lead to crashes in the middle of the day.
Fresh veggies and dip: If you have access to an refrigerated vending machine, consider mixing in fresh veggies and dips. Carrots and hummus, celery and peanut butter, and broccoli and ranch are classic combinations that appeal to a wide variety of snackers.
Veggies are high in nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, and they are often the lowest calorie food options available. If you're looking for an alternative to "chips and candy" then "veggies and dip" might be the right solution to your vending needs.
Air-popped popcorn: Air-popped popcorn, like Skinny Pop, has become a popular snack option for people who want the satisfying crunch of popcorn without the calories and fat.
The ingredients are simple — usually just light salt and corn — while the flavor profile can vary depending on the variety pack you choose. Popcorn is also incredibly shelf-stable, leading to a lower likelihood of expired food sitting in your vending machine.
Final thoughts on health vending machine snacks
Consider the following tips when choosing healthy options for your machines:
- Choose single-serve portions for portion control and to fit within your machine
- Look for lower sugar options, and if you do have sugary options, look for items that are also high in fiber
- Mix your flavor profile with sweet and savory options. Some snackers reach for sweet treats, while others want a savory kick or hint of umami
- Monitor sales data to identify which healthy snacks you can keep fully stocked, and which ones can be removed from your rotation