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Healthy Snacks You Can Actually Feed Your Kids

The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year. Between school functions, holiday parties, and family gatherings, you’ll be on-the-go more often than not and may have to feed your kids while doing so. Read on for some grab-and-go snack options that you can feel good about as a parent.

 

String Cheese

The great thing about string cheese is that it comes wrapped in the perfect portable package, making it ideal for those busy holiday times. You might be surprised to learn that string cheese is relatively healthy, too — it offers plenty of protein without a lot of calories. Turn to string cheese for an easy, portable, and delicious snack that you don’t have to think about when your mind is on other aspects of the busy holiday season.

 

Mixed Nuts

The appropriate portion of nuts is an excellent choice for hungry kids, and they can eat them just about anywhere. A nut mix that contains almonds, pistachios, peanuts, or cashews is usually the right choice, as it offers good fats, fatty acids, protein, and fiber, which will help your kids feel full without eating a huge portion. You can even make your own nut mix and pop some into a small container for perfect on-the-go snacking.

 

Healthy Jerky

Jerky is easily portable, and it isn’t messy, making it a good choice for kids on those busy holiday drives. Beef, turkey, or chicken jerky is packed with protein, and kids will love the great taste — make sure to choose a jerky option that isn’t loaded up with extra salt, sugar, or additives so that you know you’re choosing a healthier option.

 

Veggies and Hummus

Hummus — a smooth paste made from chickpeas — tastes great, and it’s great for you. Hummus is packed with protein, so it’s an excellent choice for busy kids on-the-go this holiday season. Pair it with some vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, etc.) or a few healthy crackers, and you have a low-mess, portable snack that offers a nutritional benefit.

 

Don’t let the holidays ruin your kids’ healthy diet. Choose healthy snack options that are easy to take on-the-go, and you’ll have choices that you can feel good about giving your kids!

New Year New You: Be Your Own Boss and Start a Vending Business in 2020

The New Year is almost upon us. We’re all making resolutions this time of year, whether it’s to shave off a few pounds or to spend more time reading. Perhaps your New Year’s resolution is to become your own boss — it’s a lofty goal but one that will pay off in spades.

 

The healthy vending machine business is your path to success. Here are just four of the many reasons why this industry is a great choice:

 

The Best Locations

Finding success in the vending world is all about where your machines are placed. That can seem like a daunting task, especially when you’re just starting. That’s where we come in. Our staff locators will come to work with you in your city, making sure that your machines are placed in the areas that will generate the maximum return. That lets you focus on what matters: getting healthy snacks in the hands of consumers and growing your business.

 

HANDS-ON PERSONAL TRAINING

Our intensive 3-day hands-on training program gives you the insider knowledge to be completely successful with your new business venture. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the vending machine business, including loading, servicing, repairing, optimizing, operator support, financial and tax information, and much more. There’s no better way to be set up for success right from the start.

 

Coaches for Life

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was someone you could turn to with any question, big or small, about your vending machine business? Well, we have that covered. We never want you to have to “figure things out,” so we provide a personal business coach for you for the life of your business, whether it’s six months or 15 years. Your coach is only a phone call or text message away at any time.

 

24-7 OPERATOR SUPPORT

When you sign on for the program, you’ll have full access to VENDPRO, our private online resource center that contains everything you’ll ever need as a vending machine operator. You’ll find training videos, product sourcing information, and even a private forum that lets you communicate with other healthy vending machine operators. It couldn’t be easier!

 

Make your dreams a reality during this New Year. 2020 is your year to become your own boss in the world of healthy vending! Learn more by contacting Naturals2Go today.

Healthy Holiday Snack Alternatives

The holidays will be here before you know it. For many of us, one of the greatest things about this time of year is the food. Of course, most of the options aren’t very healthy, especially when it comes to snacks and treats. Candy bars, chocolate chip cookies, fudge… they’re all delicious, but what if there were healthier options out there?

 

You’re in luck. Let’s take a look at some healthy holiday snack alternatives for you and your family to try this year:

 

Cereal and Granola Bars

Not every cereal or granola bar is a healthy choice, as some are loaded with sugar and sodium. But choosing a healthy variety makes for a great holiday snack that the whole family will love. Look for cereal or granola bars with low sugar levels and no artificial preservatives — stick with bars that have more nuts and seeds than chocolate.

 

Chips and Pretzels

Some chips and pretzels are considered “junk” food, but they’re not all bad. Purchasing chips that are not fried in oil or fat like regular potato chips gives you a healthier alternative. And pretzels that aren’t packed with sodium offer a filling, healthy, and portable snack.

 

Fruits

Simply cutting up an apple or orange makes for a sweet, nutritious, and delicious snack without all the added preservatives and extra sugar. You can also try dried fruit — they’re delicious and make for a portable and delightful bite when you’re on the go during the holiday hustle and bustle.

 

Seeds, Nuts, and Jerky

Almost everyone enjoys snacking on a handful of nuts or seeds. They’re high in protein and healthy fats and can serve as an excellent alternative to sugary candy. Try choosing nuts like almonds, peanuts, or cashews. When it comes to jerky, look for a low-sugar, organic, and MSG-free variety, and you have yourself a delicious snack for the whole family this holiday season.

 

Healthy Cookies

Who said that cookies are all bad? Try selecting healthier cookie options made without excess sugar, salt, high-fructose corn syrup, and other additives. Look for cookies sweetened with coconut rather than chocolate, or made with whole grains.

 

Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you have to pack on the pounds thanks to unhealthy snacks. There are plenty of alternative, yet delicious, options out there. Start your search for healthy holiday snacks today.

Vending Machines in Schools: Tips for Success

Schools make up a big part of the healthy vending business. After all, schools are full of hungry kids who often need a quick snack or meal options, and one or more schools can be found in just about every town and city across the nation.

 

As a healthy vending machine entrepreneur, how do you capitalize on the need for vending machines in schools? Here’s what school districts are looking for in their vending partners:

Nutritious Snacks and Meals

Now more than ever, districts want healthy snack options in their vending machines. Parents don’t want their kids filling up on cookies and chips for lunch, and districts have responded in kind — schools want their machines stocked with things like chef salads, protein-packed nuts, and healthy sandwiches, not sugary desserts.

 

So, you’re perfectly poised to give schools at every level precisely what they want: healthy, nutritious snack or meal options that kids can purchase quickly. And make no mistake: kids will choose the healthy options, as long as they’re placed strategically. Putting a salad in between a pack of cookies and a cheese Danish might not work very well, but a robust line-up of healthy sandwiches and protein bars will entice kids into purchasing them.

A Simple Arrangement

One of the last things that most school districts have time to focus on is the type and quality of vending machines in their buildings. That’s why a simple arrangement with a vending partner is something most school districts are considering. When you provide healthy vending services and clearly explain how the machines work – how the revenue system is set up and what items are available in the machines – you’re offering a straightforward service that lets the school district look good while putting in minimal effort.

 

THE RIGHT PLACEMENT

Some might think that the only place vending machines would be found in a school is in or near the cafeteria. While they very well may be placed there, keep in mind that putting machines elsewhere can also be beneficial for business. Machines near the entrance of the school can generate a significant boost, especially during peak breakfast times; machines near the gym for student-athletes is also a key placement.

 

SMART MACHINES

The last thing school districts want to worry about is their machines getting low and having to restock them. That’s where you come in. Smart machines can monitor their own stock and send an alert when they’re getting low. Modern machines also offer cashless payment and even security measures. These kinds of perks are important for success in schools.

 

 

Are you an entrepreneur ready to make your mark in the world of healthy vending? Contact Naturals2Go today to learn how to get started.

Guilt-Free Snack Options to Satisfy Any Craving

Even the healthiest of eaters still get cravings. There’s no stopping them — sometimes, you just want a salty, savory, or sweet snack to indulge in. Luckily, there are plenty of options to satisfy those cravings without feeling guilty. Let’s take a look at just some of the many possibilities:

Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

These brownies are made out of zucchinis, so you don’t have to worry about all those extra carbs and sugars. You’ll get a serving of vegetables while indulging your chocolate cravings — what could be better than that? Check out this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie to make chocolate zucchini brownies with just over 100 calories and only a gram of sugar.

Potato Chip Alternatives

We can’t blame you for the occasional potato chip craving. Their salty goodness is just irresistible sometimes! But if you’re looking for a healthier option than your standard potato chip, you’re in luck. Try selecting kettle-cooked or small-batch potato chips, which have been made in such a way to have lower fat content. You can also try alternatives to potatoes, like kale chips or bean and rice chips.

Healthy Granola Bars

A granola bar or protein bar is a great way to feel full fast, but many are loaded down with sugar and additives. Try selecting a healthy granola bar made with organic ingredients and no added sugars, like fructose or dextrose. Then, you’ll have a protein-packed, portable snack that you don’t have to feel guilty about.

Avocado Toast With Bacon

Avocado toast is all the rage right now, and it’s quite good for you. And let’s be honest: who doesn’t get a craving for bacon now and again? Top your avocado toast with a small strip of bacon for a guilt-free snack — or an entire breakfast — that tastes great. It’s packed with heart-healthy fats and plenty of vitamins and minerals. Plus, you’ll be giving yourself a boost thanks to all the protein.

The next time you have cravings, indulge them — but do it with one of these healthy snacks and see how good you feel.

High-Tech Healthy Vending Machines Are the New Growth Business Opportunity

When you think of a vending machine, what kind of foods and beverages do you picture? Chips, cookies, candy, soda… junk foods like these are all that you used to be able to find when you visited your office’s vending corner for an afternoon snack. Today, there’s a new business opportunity in the world of vending machines: healthy vending. It’s a booming industry, and technology is only helping it grow.

TECH MAKES IT EASY

Healthy vending machines are high-tech as ever, thanks to advancements in both kiosk technology and vending machine tech itself. Many healthy vending machines operate via touch screen. There is also a social media component to healthy vending, as users can use an app to operate the machine. Some machines even use facial recognition technology to recognize repeat users!

Franchisees of healthy vending machines can advertise through their machines, and the tech also allows them to track buying trends, remotely monitor their inventory, and even educate consumers on healthy snacking.

Consumers Want Healthy Snacks

Aside from the ease and convenience of healthy vending, there’s another reason why the industry is so successful: it’s in high demand. Now more than ever, consumers don’t want to fill up on salty, high-fat snacks that bog them down. Healthier snack choices have proven extremely successful in a variety of settings: offices, schools, industrial locations, hospitals, and more.

The Industry Isn’t Slowing Down

The healthy vending machine industry is a $42 billion industry that shows no signs of slowing down — as vending machine technology continues to advance and consumers keep looking for convenient but healthy snack choices, entrepreneurs are poised to make the most of this booming industry.

Your Next Business Opportunity

Ready to get in on the action of the healthy vending industry? We’re here to help with that. By partnering with Naturals2Go, you’ll be set up with everything you need to become the entrepreneur you were always meant to be! Call us today to learn more.

“Junk” Food That’s Good for You: Chips and Pretzels

Potato chips just might be the king of junk food. They’re easy to eat, they’re portable, and they’re delicious… but they aren’t very healthy. You’re in luck, though: there are healthier chip and pretzel options out there that you can feel good about eating. By knowing what to look for, you’ll be able to select a healthy chip or pretzel option that doesn’t feel like cheating.

Look for the Right Claims

Don’t be fooled by chip brands that have claims like “50% less fat” or “no cholesterol” on the packaging. These types of chips might have lower fat levels, but they can still have as much saturated fat as normal chips. The best option is to look for packaging that has “kettle-cooked” or “small batch” on it — this means that the chips are fried in smaller batches and are cooked at a lower temperature, lowering fat and cholesterol levels without sacrificing any flavor.

Avoid Processed Additives

Many potato chips and pretzels (especially flavored versions) are filled with a lot of processed ingredients, like starch, gums, and emulsifying agents. Plus, these types of snacks are often high in sodium and sugar. Do your best to select chips and pretzels that aren’t loaded up with a lot of extra sugar, salt, additives, and flavoring — those will be your healthiest options.

Try Popular Potato Alternatives

Of course, there are many types of chips out there today that aren’t made from potatoes at all. Bean, chickpea, and rice chips are good options. There are also many vegetable and fruit chips, like kale chips, beet chips, or apple chips. As long as you can find an alternative chip that isn’t high in sodium or saturated fats, you’re in for a tasty treat that’s much healthier than your typical potato chip.

Snacking doesn’t have to be the unhealthiest part of your day. Replace those standard potato chips and pretzels with a healthier version, and you’ll satisfy those cravings without any guilt.

Snacking Trend Watch: Are Chocolate Sales Dwindling?

Americans definitely love their chocolate. But chocolate and candy sales aren’t quite what they used to be. This is big news in the vending machine world since chocolate tends to make up a good portion of vending snacks. So why are chocolate sales dwindling, and what should vending machine operators do in response?

Rising Cocoa Prices

One of the biggest reasons that chocolate sales are dwindling nationwide is the rising price of cocoa. Cocoa and cocoa butter prices rose 30 percent just in the first few months of 2018. Thanks to issues like climate change and deforestation, the problem is only likely to continue, causing prices to rise even further. That means more expensive chocolate snacks for consumers — if there are other options that are cheaper, vending customers are likely to choose those instead.

The Healthy Snacking Movement

Another factor in the slowing growth of chocolate, and candy and chocolate “junk food” snacks, in general, is the movement by consumers toward healthy snacking trends. Now more than ever, customers want portable, on-the-go snacks that don’t break the bank and actually provide some nutrition. Snacks like healthy chips, all-natural granola bars, and dried fruits are more popular than ever, for adults and children alike.

What It Means for You

As cocoa prices continue to rise and the snacking market trends toward healthier snacking choices, the healthy vending machine market is booming. Whether machines are placed in office complexes, schools, hospitals, or other prime locations, consumers are selecting healthy options that they can feel good about. Plus, they’re delicious!

Get In On The Action

If you’re an entrepreneur ready to capitalize on the shift toward healthy vending, you’re in luck. Naturals2Go is here to help you get started with comprehensive training and mentoring programs, assistance with machine placement, and 24/7 technical support. Call us today to learn more!

“Junk” Food That’s Good for You: Cereal and Granola Bars

At first glance, a granola or cereal bar seems like a healthy enough snack. After all, it’s packed with nuts and oats, which can provide healthy fats and plenty of protein. But not every granola bar is a healthy choice – some are more akin to cookies! Read on to find out what to look for in a healthy granola bar so you can make the best choice for yourself and your family.

Low in Sugar

One of the major problems with granola bars is that many of them have a lot of added sugar. That is, of course, how the granola bar is sweetened, but it just comes with too many problems. Excess sugar can lead to weight gain, and has been linked to higher blood pressure and higher triglyceride levels. Some granola bars contain enough sugar to give you almost half of the daily limit – just in one bar! Look for granola and cereal bars that don’t have added sugar or sweeteners like corn syrup, honey, fructose and dextrose.

No Artificial Preservatives

Some granola bar brands use something called BHT to preserve freshness. BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene, and it’s a synthetic antioxidant that has been shown to have carcinogenic potential. Play it safe and avoid granola bars with this type of preservative or other artificial preservatives –find bars that use natural ingredients like rosemary extract or vitamin E to keep them from going bad.

No Caramel Coloring

Do your best to find granola bars that don’t use caramel coloring. Certain caramel colorings are made in a way that results in trace amounts of contaminants remaining behind. Those contaminants are considered “possible carcinogens” by the World Health Organization.

No GMO Soy

Most soy grown in North America is genetically modified so it’s resistant to herbicides. Unfortunately, that means GMO soy usually contains residue from those herbicides. That’s not something you want your family ingesting! Take the time to find cereal or granola bars that contain no GMO soy.

Find yourself a healthy bar option that doesn’t contain excess sugar or a lot of additives and you’ve got a protein-packed snack perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle.