American Vending LLC Blog

Bottled Water: It’s Healthy for You and Warren and The Detroit Metro Area

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Katie Waxman

The relationship between the bottled water industry and Warren and The Detroit Metro Area consumers has had its ups and downs. But recent news from the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is good news for everyone. A recent study found that bottled water now has the lowest water footprint of all packaged drinks, using a total of 1.32 liters of water, including the 1 liter of consumable water, to produce a 1-liter bottle product.

Water vending machines in Warren and Metro Detroit Area

Environmental Impact

To decrease the amount of water used, the amount of energy spent, and the amount of plastic materials needed for the production of bottled water, the bottled water industry has developed new and innovative ways to decrease the number of resources spent. According to the IBWA, some of the changes include:

“Auditing total water use at bottled water facilities,
Reducing groundwater extraction through improved water processing and bottling processes,
Looking for leaks in all of their piping and tanks,
Planting drought-resistant vegetation at bottling facilities,
Reminding employees to be good stewards of the environment and encouraging water conservation,
Implementing water use restrictions at their facilities,
Implementing ultra-efficient cleaning methods inside plants to reduce water usage when cleaning reusable 3- and 5-gallon bottles for water coolers used in homes and offices,
Reducing the use of cleaners when sterilizing water pipes, storage tanks, and finished products,
Managing water withdrawals in a manner that ensures the long-term viability of the watershed, [and]
Using hydro-geological evaluations on springs to assess any potential impact on local groundwater levels and stream flows.”

The result is an industry that uses fewer natural resources, creates less waste, and produces one of America’s most purchased packaged drinks. As Jill Culora, IBWA’s vice president of communications, said, “consumers who are drinking bottled water instead of other packaged drinks are making a healthy choice—and also reducing the impact on the environment.”

beverage vending machines in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area

Health Benefits

Water offers multiple health benefits to those in Warren and the Detroit Metro Area who drink it. According to the Centers for Disease Control, water helps to regulate body temperature, lubricate and cushion joints, and protect the spinal cord. Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, the director of nutrition at WebMD, writes that water keeps our body hydrated which helps all of its systems to function properly, decreases muscle fatigue which can contribute to poor performance, and helps skin to stay hydrated and healthy.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t drink nearly enough water to make up for the water that we lose every day, which can lead to dehydration. Side effects of dehydration include lack of energy and fatigue. To combat dehydration, the Mayo Clinic recommends that men drink about 13 cups or 3 liters of beverages per day, and women drink about 9 cups or 2.2 liters per day. Additionally, researchers at the University of Illinois determined that the more water a person drank, the fewer overall calories that person consumed. For most individuals, a decrease in calories, even by a small amount, can positively impact long-term health.

Do your Warren and The Detroit Metro Area employees or students enjoy water as a pick-me-up during the day? If so, be sure to include bottled water in the office break room or school lunchroom vending machine. For the ultimate employee bonus, consider covering part or all of the cost of healthy vending machine snacks and beverages.

For more information about customizing your current vending machine options, or adding new healthy vending machines to your office break room or school lunchroom, contact American Vending at 248.895.2606.

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Three Reasons Why Millennials in Warren and The Metro Detroit Area Are Needed in the Vending Industry

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Katie Waxman

Did you know that the overall workforce is projected to consist of more than 50 percent of Millennials by 2020? With such a large number of individuals joining the working world, it is important that the vending industry continue to attract new talent especially since the vending industry has recently undergone substantial change. Now is the chance for Warren and the Metro Detroit Area Millennials to change the vending space in their region and positively impact how customers view vending.

While there are many reasons to build a career in the vending industry, the following are three areas where new and innovative change continues to occur, thanks in part to Millennials shifting the overall point-of-view.

healthy break room service in Detroit and Warren

Healthy Snack, Beverage, and Food Choices

Whether grabbing a snack at work or picking up a meal at the grocery store, “healthy” is no longer a word reserved for an out-of-the-way store that sells seeds, nuts and strange grains. As Millennials joined the workforce, they sought out healthier options and created positive change for everyone else. They understood that healthy choices improved one’s overall well-being and mental health which led to an increase in morale and productivity in the workplace. And that sounds like a bonus for everyone.

Creating a New Breakroom Space

The bland, gray room with an old refrigerator and a sad-looking table hidden somewhere toward the back of a place of employment, or the breakroom, is a thing of the past. Breakrooms are becoming bright and welcoming spaces where Warren and the Metro Detroit Area employees can grab a bite to eat or a cup of specialty coffee and enjoy a conversation with a colleague. Today’s breakroom includes the ultimate employee perks: the micro-market Free Vend and the gourmet coffeehouse experience.

Micro-markets include glass-front coolers with racks and shelves holding freshly made, delicious, and nutrient rich foods that have been chosen to meet Warren and the Metro Detroit Area employees’ needs and preferences. Available at any time of the day, micro-markets offer a pleasant shopping experience with self-checkout kiosks. Multiple payment options, and additional technologies that allows kiosks to operate online, and report sales and product status in real time work together to create a seamless process.

healthy vending machines in Detroit and Warren

Free Vend offers the ultimate employee perk. Employers provide their employees healthy and traditional beverages, snacks, and food throughout the workday at a reduced cost or no cost.

The gourmet coffeehouse experience in an office breakroom creates a space that rivals any corner coffee house with specialty coffees and teas, locally roasted or uniquely sourced beans. With a customized program, employees have a fewer reasons to leave the office to get a snack or caffeine boost.

New and Innovative Vending Machine Technology
As technology has changed in the rest of the world, it has also changed in the vending industry.

The equipment is more environmentally friendly with Energy Star ratings and LED lighting and automatically communicates with vending providers to provide up-to-date sales information, determining an appropriate list of options (inventory control and customization). New technology also detects whether the purchased product has dropped, guaranteeing that customers either receive the product selected, or the vending machine automatically returns the customer’s money.

Whether a future Millennial employee works in marketing, operations, software or hardware development, or food and nutrition services, he or she will be able to offer a unique perspective on vending industry equipment, best practices, and food, snack, and beverage options. For information about upgrading your breakroom experience to reflect new and innovative changes in the vending industry, contact American Vending at (248) 895.2606.

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Warren and the Metro Detroit Area Consumers Enjoy Beverages with Less Sugar

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Katie Waxman

What are your go-to beverages? Have your preferences changed over the past few years to include choices with less sugar? If so, you aren’t alone. Recent research has shown that consumers have the same concerns when it comes to choosing a beverage from the office break room vending machine as they do when choosing a snack.

healthy beverage vending machines in Detroit Metro Area and Warren

Consumers are looking for variety, simpler labels, and more functional ingredients. There is, however, one more factor that is a bit more important when it comes to choosing both snacks and beverages—balancing sugar and calorie consumption.

And, it appears that Warren and the Metro Detroit Area consumers are aware of its importance as soda consumption has declined for the 12th straight year. Smaller containers, an increase in prices for consumers, and in some cities, such as Berkeley, CA and Philadelphia, a soda tax have also played a role in decreasing overall consumption. And that’s a good thing.

Consuming too much sugar can be damaging to different parts of the body. A diet high in added sugar can increase the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, even in individuals at a healthy weight, as well as cause weight gain and cavities. Empty calories from sugar often end up excluding healthier food choices, and opening the door for a deficiency in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Sugar has also been found to negatively impact one’s mood, dopamine levels, and increase inflammation especially in one’s joints and skin.

A decrease in one’s quality of health isn’t the only cost. According to Anna Lappé and Christina Bronsing-Lazalde at The New York Times,”Nationally, we spent $245 billion on diabetes medical costs in 2012. By 2030 we could be spending as much as $818 billion on the direct medical costs of heart disease.”

healthy vending machines in Warren and the Detroit Metro Area

To avoid consuming too much processed sugar, the American Heart Association recommends “that women consume less than 100 calories of added sugar per day (about 6 teaspoons) and men consume less than 150 per day (about 9 teaspoons).” Some processed sugars are easily recognizable such as those in cakes, cookies, and pies, but there are a number of processed sugars in unsuspecting products that are much harder to find. They include corn syrup, fruit juice concentrates, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, malt sugar, maple sugar, molasses, and sugar molecules ending in “ose” (dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose).

One way to help Warren and the Metro Detroit Area employee’s decrease the amount of processed sugar consumed while at work is to offer beverages that contain little to no processed sugar in the office break room. Plain and naturally-flavored sparkling water, fruit-infused and plain non-carbonated water, and unsweetened teas are just a few of the many choices available. Not only will you be offering your employees a refreshing beverage, but you will be helping them to live a healthier life. And healthy employees have fewer sick days and are more productive.

That sounds like a win for everyone. To learn more about adding healthy beverage and snack options to your Warren and the Metro Detroit Area office break room vending machines, call American Vending at (248) 895.2606. We would be happy to help you make the switch.

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Coffee’s Reputation in Warren and The Metro Detroit Area Keeps Improving

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Katie Waxman

Have you heard the one about coffee stunting your growth? Or maybe the one that says coffee causes heart disease, cancer, or rabies? If you have, it’s important to know that none of them are true.

office coffee service in the Metro Detroit area and Warren

Scientists, instead, have found that coffee can have quite a few benefits. Not only does it provide an energy boost, but it can decrease pain sensitivity in those with chronic pain. Different studies have shown that it also decreases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, melanoma, and oral, pharynx, liver, colon, prostate, and endometrial cancers.

A new study performed in Europe by researchers at the Imperial College London, the U.S. National Cancer Institute and other institutions followed 521,330 individuals and found that those who consumed three cups of coffee per day had a better chance of living longer than non-coffee drinkers. This finding remained consistent even after the results had been adjusted for factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, diverse European populations, and varying preparation methods.

Given the potential benefits of incorporating a daily coffee into a Warren and the Metro Detroit Area employee’s diet, it is important to consider how and where your employees are finding their coffee. One way to encourage employees to enjoy a cup of coffee throughout the work day is to create a gourmet coffeehouse experience in your office break room.

Todd Heiser, a principal at Gensler, a global architecture and design firm said “Workplace happiness focuses around coffee, food and water, and this is changing the design of work environments across the globe. We see the desk shrinking, but the square footage is not going away. It’s replaced with amenities that employees expect the workplace to provide.”

It’s time to think outside of the box and create a better break room. One that not only offers a gourmet coffee experience but also creates a multi-functional space. Warren and the Metro Detroit Area employees are looking for a place that is similar to home where they can relax, let loose, and work.

coffee and tea service in Warren and The Metro Detroit Area

Comfy chairs, bright sunny spaces with plants and lots of electrical outlets, games, a mix of tables and chairs with sofas and low tables where colleagues can collaborate, and a quiet area that can be used for naps or just a quiet place to work are all potential ways to create a relaxing space.

And don’t forget to include healthy food, snack and beverage choices. Whether your newly designed space offers state-of-the-art vending machines, free vend or is a micro-market, offering a gourmet coffee experience is an excellent way to boost morale and encourage your Warren and the Metro Detroit Area employees to enjoy a beneficial cup of coffee. For more information about updating your office break room or adding specialty coffee service, contact American Vending at (248) 895.2606.

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In Warren and the Metro Detroit Area, Are You Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables?

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

It’s no surprise that Warren and Metro Detroit Area consumers are not eating enough fruits and vegetables during a day to get the optimum amount of health benefits. Scientists from Imperial College London found that to get the best health benefits, individuals need to consume 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. That is a lot more than the minimum number of five servings per day that the USDA recommends.

To understand which fruits and vegetables to add to your daily diet, it is important to learn more about your potential choices, whether conventional or organic. Information about nutritional values, the health benefits of specific produce, preparation methods, and the pros and cons of different growing practices is just a click away.

Recent research indicates that the demand for organic fruits and vegetables has increased as organic fruits and vegetables account for the largest organic food segment. In 2015, they led the global organic food market with 37% of the revenue. As Janice Kresin writes in The Packer, the draw to organic produce is in its connection to the consumer’s health. “When it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, organic produce attracts consumers because it ties the concept of healthful options for consumers and the environment to the growing awareness of chemicals put on foods.”

During the first half of 2017, the top 10 fruits and vegetables purchased, in descending order, are bananas, apples, grapes, strawberries, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and lettuce. Each one of these offers specific vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can benefit a different part of the Warren and Metro Detroit Area consumer’s body.

Fruit

bananas: source of potassium; help lower blood pressure
apples: source of flavonoids, an antioxidant; lower risk of developing diabetes and asthma
grapes: source of resveratrol, an antioxidant; help prevent heart disease and may reduce the spread of breast, stomach and colon cancer cells
strawberries: great source of antioxidants; help decrease inflammation and hardened arteries
oranges: source of folate, a vitamin for pregnant women, and hesperidin, a phytochemical that can lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels

Vegetables

potatoes: source of soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamin C, and B-complex; help lower plasma LDL cholesterol keep blood sugar stable
tomatoes: source of antioxidants, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins; protect against cancers and ultra-violet (UV) rays; protects eyes from “age-related macular related macular disease” (ARMD)
onions: source of chromium, quercetin (an antioxidant), vitamin C, and B-complex; help control diabetes, offer anti-inflammatory properties, and help with brain health
carrots: source of carotenes, vitamin A, vitamin C, B-complex, copper, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants; help protect against skin, lung, and oral cavity cancers, maintain eye health, and help maintain healthy connective tissue, teeth, and gums
lettuce: source of vitamins and minerals; help prevent osteoporosis and iron-deficiency anemia, and protect against cardiovascular diseases, ARMD, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancers

To maintain a healthy diet, it is important for Warren and Metro Detroit Area adults to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. One way to add in an extra serving of fruits and vegetables is to choose healthy snacks and beverages at the office that are made from fruits and vegetables. Whether you need to change your current healthy snack and beverage choices in your micro-market, or if you’ve never considered offering all-natural and organic products in your office break room vending machine, American Vending can help. Contact us at 248.895.2606 for more information.

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Warren and Metro Detroit Area, How Do You Drink Your Coffee?

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Katie Waxman

Did you know that the majority of U.S. coffee drinkers do not drink their coffee black? According to the most recent National Coffee Association’s National Coffee Drinking Trends (NCDT) report, 68 percent of coffee drinkers add some type of non-dairy or dairy product to their coffee, and about 50 percent add a sweetener. Other trends that the researchers found include:

Dairy and Non-Dairy Additives
- 35% of coffee drinkers add a non-dairy creamer (or coffee whitener, as it is known in some regions)
- 14% of coffee drinkers use half and half
- 13% of coffee drinkers prefer whole milk
- 5% of coffee drinkers enjoy a non-dairy milk alternative
Coffee Flavoring Preferences
- 21% of coffee drinkers prefer the flavor to be in a powder or liquid creamer
- 5% of coffee drinkers would rather add the flavoring by itself
Demand for “clean label” creamers or creamers made from natural ingredients including plant-based creamers has surpassed demand for “traditional” flavored creamers
Increased Demand for Sweeteners
- 38% of coffee drinkers use sugar
- 12% of coffee drinkers prefer artificial sweeteners

With an increase in the type and number of potential options that can be used to change the flavor or sweetness of a cup of black coffee, it is important to take the time to understand your employees’ preferences. If their preferences aren’t available, they are likely to go offsite to find that “perfect” cup of coffee.

Offering cafe-style coffee service in the office break room is a cost-effective way to help encourage Warren and Metro Detroit Area employees to stay onsite when they want a cup of coffee. To make sure everyone is able to customize their coffee, consider offering a mixture of the following products in the office break room:

non-dairy creamer (or coffee whitener): a plain or flavored liquid or granular substance added to coffee, tea or hot chocolate
half-and-half: contains equal parts of whole milk and light cream, and has 10 to 12 percent fat content (more fat than milk, but less fat than cream)
milk: cow’s milk that has been fortified with vitamins A and D, and is available as whole milk (~3.5% fat), 2% reduced-fat milk, 1% low-fat milk, and fat-free or skim milk
non-dairy “milk” options: almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc.
sugar: granulated or “regular” sugar, cane sugar, organic sugar, etc.
artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, etc.

Which items do your Warren and Metro Detroit Area employees request the most? Are they available? Whether your current coffee service needs a tune-up or you want to create the ultimate break room by adding cafe-style coffee service, American Vending can help. For more information, contact us at 248.895.2606.

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Are Healthy Choices Standard in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area?

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

Have you noticed an increase in the number of organic options at your local grocery store over the past several years? If you thought you did, you weren’t imagining it. The United States (U.S.), the largest organic food and beverage market in North America, was valued at $40 billion in 2015—almost half of the global organic market ($91 billion). And the global organic market isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. Grand View Research, a U.S. based market research and consulting company, projects that the global organic food and beverage market will reach $320.5 billion by 2025.

What Is It?

What does it mean for a strawberry or cut of beef to be labeled organic? The short answer is that there is no short answer. For something to be labeled organic, it has to meet specific regulations in the country where it was grown. So, foods labeled organic in Germany need to meet German regulations, and foods grown in the U.S. need to meet specific U.S. regulations. Crops in the U.S. must be grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Livestock, on the other hand, must be raised without antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal by-products, and must have access to the outdoors and be fed organic feed.

Why Eat It?

The difference between using organic versus conventional methods offers benefits not only to the Warren and Metro Detroit Area consumers who consume them but also to the environment where the crops and livestock were grown or raised. Organic farming methods have been found to reduce pollution and soil erosion, conserve water, use less energy and increase soil fertility. Ongoing research in both the U.S. and Europe, the second largest organic market behind the U.S., has shown that consuming organic products increases the number of beneficial nutrients (ex. antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids) and decreases the number of pesticides, preservatives, GMOs, growth hormones, and antibiotics that are consumed. A 2016 European Parliamentary Research Service found the following benefits of eating organic:

Reduced occurrence of adult obesity and type-2 diabetes
Reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases and other diseases
Reduced environmental impact due to fewer greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced exposure to pesticides through food, which improves cognitive development
Reduced prevalence of adolescent allergies
Reduced processing leads to higher levels of antioxidants like omega-3 fatty acids
Reduced vulnerability to heavy metal cadmium, commonly found in artificial fertilizers
Reduced risk of antibiotic resistance

Who Wants It?

With the increase in demand for organic products and the new knowledge about the benefits of eating organic, it won’t be long before more Warren and Metro Detroit Area employees start asking for healthier snacks and beverages. Instead of reacting to their requests, get ahead of the curve and offer healthy snacks and beverages in your office break room now. Whether you are looking to switch to healthier options or are considering a vending solution for the first time in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area, American Vending can help. Call us at 248.895.2606 to learn about the different options available.

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Mobile Payments and Growth Spurts in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

“There will be exponential growth in mobile payments in the U.S. over the next five years.”

– “The Mobile World of Retail,” a BRP Special Report

In the almost three years since Apple Pay was launched, the ability to make a mobile payment with a smartphone has become just one of several ways that a mobile device can impact the shopping experience of today’s consumers. BRP Consulting recently determined five key ways that mobile devices are impacting the retail experience: customer identification, customer engagement, associate training and task management, mobile POS, and mobile payment. For Warren and Metro Detroit Area vending and micro-marketing providers, the ability to make a mobile payment is something that cannot be ignored.

According to The Pew Charitable Trusts’ May 2016 report, 55% of the United States’ population were mobile payment users. 72% of those users fell into the Millennial or Gen X generations. While Millennials and Gen Xers enjoy the rewards, discounts, alerts, and electronic receipts that mobile payment solutions offer, they, 74% of Millennials and 70% of Gen Xers, are also very concerned about the risk of identity theft and loss of funds that might come with using mobile payment options. This block to using mobile payments results from a lack of understanding if mobile payments are faster, safer, or easier to use than traditional payment methods.

For mobile payments to be successful in the long run, there must be additional Warren and Metro Detroit Area consumer education about:

the length and ease of a transaction using a mobile device as compared to a traditional transaction
how loyalty rewards programs can be tied to a mobile wallet, and how that can improve the overall shopping experience
the enhanced security features and faster checkout that mobile wallets offer

Consumer education about using mobile payment systems does not need to be long and drawn out. A recent USA Technologies study found “that call-to-action messages [on vending machines] underscoring speed, convenience and security of Apple Pay can act as an electronic gateway for consumers to learn about and use the mobile wallets already installed on their phones.” Not only did this information educate consumers, but it also increased mobile payment usage by 135.2% and increased overall sales by 36.5%. Knowledge really does make a difference.

Offering Warren and Metro Detroit Area employees the option of using mobile payments to purchase a healthy snack or beverage in the office break room not only educates them about mobile payments, but it also gives them an alternative way to purchase a much needed meal, snack, or beverage. Taking a break to stay hydrated or eat something supports their physical and mental health, and in the long run, helps your bottom line. To learn more about mobile payments, and how our vending and micro-market services can benefit your organization, call American Vending at 248.895.2606.

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Warren and the Detroit Metro Area Coffee Might Have Another Superpower

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

By now, most Warren and Detroit Metro Area individuals have heard of the benefits of coffee. For example, it may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 50 percent, fight depression, help your liver, and the list goes on. However, did you know caffeine consumption may reduce the risk of dementia in older women?

A new study seems to support this idea. Ira Driscoll, the lead author for the study and professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, found that a higher caffeine intake in women 65-80 seemed to reduce the chance of developing dementia or cognitive impairment. In the study, which was published in the Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, women self-reported their caffeine consumption. Participants who reported consuming more than 262 milligrams of caffeine per day or two to three eight-ounce cups of coffee, decreased their chance of developing dementia by 36 percent.

Approximately 6,500 women were monitored using annual assessments of cognitive function over a 10-year period. During that time about 388 women were diagnosed with probable dementia or a form of global cognitive impairment. Researchers were careful to adjust for risk factors including age, sleep quality, depression, diabetes, and alcohol and tobacco use.

Even though a direct connection between higher caffeine consumption and decreased occurrences of cognitive impairment or dementia has yet to be established, Ina Driscoll said that there is “mounting evidence of caffeine consumption as a potentially protective factor against cognitive impairment. [With additional studies], we can better quantify its relationship with cognitive-health outcomes.” Even though Driscoll was cautious when expressing the success of the study, she made it clear that she was excited to see the outcome as caffeine can easily be added to one’s diet with very little risk.

However, as is the case with any study, it is important to be aware of the limitations of the study. For instance, in this study, the caffeine consumption was self-reported which has the potential to introduce incorrect data. To confirm the correlation between caffeine intake and the chance of developing dementia, researchers need to perform additional studies. Even though there are limitations to the study including the fact that the study examined only one gender, the evidence appears to be positive.

While the study cannot claim cause and effect yet, this is still great news. We can add a reduced risk of dementia for women to the list of other benefits such as a boost to the immune system or protection from cardiovascular disease. If Warren and Metro Detroit Area employees are coffee or tea drinkers, the caffeine consumed can help keep employees’ brain activity lively as well as their bodies healthy. To add office coffee service to your break room, contact American Vending at 248.895.2606 for more information.

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A New Snack Choice in Warren and the Metro Detroit Area

Posted on April 15, 2017 by Katie Waxman

The definition of the word snack has changed. It no longer refers only to something that has very little nutritional value and is eaten between meals. Snacks need to be healthy, delicious, and convenient as they are often eaten as a meal replacement.

This shift gradually occurred as Millennials became more influential consumers. Together with Gen Xers, the two demographic groups created an increase in demand for healthy or alternative-ingredient snacks, and that demand continues to grow. According to Packaged Facts, a market research firm, “sales of alternative ingredients snacks in 2017 are forecast to rise to $1.2 billion.”

But what is an alternative-ingredient snack?

An alternative-ingredient snack is a snack that is made from ingredients including pulses (dry peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas), vegetables, ancient grains, multigrain and whole grains. Snacks made with these ingredients include salty snacks and crackers, and often offer both flavor and textural variety. In vegetable based snacks, sweet potatoes and spinach are the most frequently used vegetables. Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are used most often in pulse based snacks, the fastest growing snack subcategory.

Why spinach, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas? Because each one offers a different combination of vitamins and minerals, and a wide variety of health benefits.

Spinach

is a great source of vitamins K, A, C, and B2 as well as folate, iron, fiber, magnesium, manganese, and calcium
is known to help with energy production and to improve blood quality because of the role that iron plays in red blood cells’ ability to function
is known to help maintain bone health because of the vitamin K
contains carotenoids (beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) which have both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties

Sweet Potatoes

come in 3 different flesh colors: orange, purple and white
are a great source of vitamins A, C, and B6 as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese
are known to help guard against health risks caused by carcinogens and toxins
are known to help maintain healthy blood pressure and healthy bones as well as help with healing wounds

Chickpeas

are a great source of protein, fiber, manganese, folate, and antioxidants
are known to help control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and to support colon health
are known to help combat cancer development, especially colon cancer
are known to help wounds heal and to maintain healthy bones

Which alternative-ingredient would Warren and Metro Detroit Area employees like to try in their next salty snack? Contact American Vending at 248.895.2606 to learn more about which healthy snacks you can include in your healthy break room vending machine.

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