ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Junk food in the vending machine can lead to extra junk
in the trunk.
With an eye on waistlines, Alexandria is shuffling out vending machines full
of high-fat favorites for new ones with more healthful options.
“We replacing the stuff that had high fat, high sugar and very low — or even
no — nutritional value,” says Stephen Haering, Alexandria’s health director.
But the “Healthy Alexandria” initiative hasn’t scrubbed familiar fixes from
the go-to spot for treats.
To some, the new choices might not appear like a health kick at all.
Options in the first machine to open include chocolate chips cookies,
potato
chips, cheddar puffs and chocolate granola bars.
The key difference, however, is snacks may not contain more than 200 calories
or 200 milligrams of sodium.
Options include chocolate chips cookies and cheddar puffs. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)
The fat or sugar calories may not exceed more than one-third of the
total
calorie count. Fifty percent of the grains must be whole grains.
“I think what we’re showing here is that ‘healthy snack’ is not an oxymoron,”
Haering says.
The first new vending machine debuted Thursday at City Hall, but the policy
requires vending machines in all city facilities to stock only healthful
beverages and snacks.
The initiative takes its cues from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Smart
Snacks in School” nutrition standards.
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