University Food Nutrition Assignment: Vending Machine Analysis

This assignment examines the influence of vending machines on food nutrition, exploring both the convenience and potential health risks associated with their use. The author discusses the easy accessibility and low maintenance costs of vending machines, highlighting their role in providing quick access to various food and beverage options, including snacks, drinks, and other items. The analysis focuses on the nutritional content of commonly available items, emphasizing the prevalence of unhealthy choices such as those high in saturated and trans fats, and sugar. The assignment underscores the potential health consequences of relying on vending machines for food, including increased risks of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. The author suggests strategies for improving the nutritional profile of vending machine offerings by replacing unhealthy options with healthier alternatives like fruits, dry fruits, fruit juices, tea and coffee. The author also emphasizes the need for increased awareness and adherence to nutrition standards, advocating for healthy eating patterns to promote overall well-being and reduce the risks of various diseases.

Running head: FOOD NUTRITION
Food Nutrition
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Answer 3:.........................................................................................................................................2
References........................................................................................................................................4

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Answer 3:
People use the vending machine due to various reasons. It is easy to access and the
maintenance expense is low. The business of vending machine helps people to earn money
easily. People can access the vending machine whenever they need and get the food, beverage,
cigarette, lottery tickets, and alcohol (Lee-Kwan et al. 2017). There are various types of vending
machines; some are for the drinks and some are for foods. Both of the vending machines contain
different types of beverages and foods. All of the food items are categorized according to the
food and drink based on the colour such as red, black, green and amber. However, the vending
machines save the time as well as the cost of the users and the vendors. It is very convenience for
the vendors of the vending machines. However, the supplied foods are fast food like snacks,
chips, and cake. Hence, if people rely on the vending machines every time, it will be harmful for
their health. These type of foods are rich in saturated and trans fat, sugar, which changes the
chemical activity of brain and lead to various diseases like dementia, obesity, diabetes, kidney
dysfunction, and neural problem. People became depressed and addicted to such kind of foods
with the time. The vending machine needs to store the healthy food and beverages rather than the
unhealthy foods and beverages to maintain the guidelines of the nutrition standards (Terry‐
McElrath et al. 2014). The vendors also need to be aware and maintain the guidelines.
As the vending machines contain the unhealthy foods and beverages, it is necessary to
replace them with the healthy ones. Healthy eating pattern can lead towards the healthy living
style of people. Healthy people can lead a happy life than the sad people. Healthy eating pattern
reduces the risks of different diseases like dementia, obesity, diabetes, kidney dysfunction, and
neural problem. The vending machines can store the foods that are rich in fibre, protein,

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vitamins, and minerals (Rosi et al. 2017). The foods that are stored in the vending machines need
to be recycled so that people can get fresh foods and beverages. The vending machines needs to
have ample of healthy choice for the customers so that they can eat according to their choice.
The unhealthy foods that are rich in fat and sugar, which is replaced by the healthy foods, can
make people happy who is much health conscious. The vending machines can contain the dry
fruits, and the fruits like apple, kiwi, and banana. In case of beverages, in place of alcohol and
soft drinks like cola, the vending machines can contain the fruit juice, tea and coffee for people
(Hua and Ickovics 2016). With the time the demand of the vending machine is increasing in the
schools and other public places; hence, it is necessary to make people aware about the unhealthy
practices and replace them with the healthy practices. The vending machines can be used for the
healthy lifestyle of people.

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References
Hua, S.V. and Ickovics, J.R., 2016. Vending machines: A narrative review of factors influencing
items purchased. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 116(10), pp.1578-1588.
Lee-Kwan, S.H., Pan, L., Kimmons, J., Foltz, J. and Park, S., 2017. Support for Food and
Beverage Worksite Wellness Strategies and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake Among
Employed US Adults. American Journal of Health Promotion, 31(2), pp.128-135.
Rosi, A., Zerbini, C., Pellegrini, N., Scazzina, F., Brighenti, F. and Lugli, G., 2017. How to
improve food choices through vending machines: the importance of healthy food availability and
consumers’ awareness. Food Quality and Preference.
Terry‐McElrath, Y.M., Hood, N.E., Colabianchi, N., O'Malley, P.M. and Johnston, L.D., 2014.
Profits, commercial food supplier involvement, and school vending machine snack food
availability: implications for implementing the new competitive foods rule. Journal of School
Health, 84(7), pp.451-458.