These Healthy Snacks Should Be In Every Vending Machine

 Even in places where healthy eating is encouraged, like public schools, vending machines are usually chock-full of nothing but junk food and can make up a significant proportion of what a student eats in a given day. So here's an idea: forgo the junk for these healthy snacks that are just as satisfying. 

Launched last year, these bars come in three flavors (mixed berry nut, sea salt caramel nut, and sweet and spicy nut) and are non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free. They're also low in calories and high in nutrients; mixed berry nut bars, for example, contain 160 calories, four grams of protein, and three grams of dietary fiber each. 

The 100-calorie snacks that have been hitting shelves lately — from favorites like Hostess, Oreo, Chips Ahoy, and Cheese Nips "Thin Crisps" — are great snacking options if you're looking to control portion size, but the actual nutrients contained therein are still lacking. A 100-calorie packet (about a handful) of almonds from brands like Blue Diamond, however, is all-natural, filling, and full of protein and healthy fat.

Yes, even a brownie can be healthy — especially if it's small and contains fiber, protein, vitamins like C, B1, and B6, with the further advantage of being moderately low in sugar and calories. This Clif Bar fits that bill, making it one kids' snack parents can get behind. 

Great substitutes for candy bars, these bars are high in fiber, with nine grams per serving (as well as three grams of protein and only four and a half grams of fat). You probably know that fiber is great for the digestive system, but did you know that it's good for heart health, too? One thing is for sure: these bars are a lot healthier than Snickers.

Yes, Green Giant (best known for its canned and frozen vegetables) also sells a line of chips, puffs, and "fries." They're loaded with healthy ingredients; for example, the Roasted Veggie Tortilla Chips contain bell peppers, buckwheat, sorghum, millet, garlic, amaranth, quinoa, broccoli, tomatoes, onion, and carrots!

PopChips are heated in a pressurized chamber instead of fried, and while they're completely different from potato chips, they're really tasty and only contain about four grams of fat per ounce. While all the traditional potato chip flavors are available, they've also started making sweet potato, vegetable, and tortilla varieties as well. 

This line of products were created with an eye toward health. The baked fries and puffs are a lot healthier than they may appear, and their bean-based "Eat Your Vegetables" chips are loaded with healthy ingredients. 

Fruit leathers are a great way to get a serving of fruit in, and are also a tasty snack. Available in mango, cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, Stretch Island's fruit leathers only contain 45 calories each and are a great way to satisfy a sugar craving. 

These all-natural, gluten-free, non-GMO chips come in five varieties: corn, beet, jalapeño, spinach and kale, and chipotle. Fresh corn is blended right into the corn chip mix, and the others are loaded with real vegetables. The ingredients are also straightforward and simple: whole grain corn masa, sunflower, safflower, or canola oil, vegetables, and salt. 

Pirate's Booty is a great snack, and Veggie Booty is even healthier. This baked snack is made with corn, rice flour, and a whole bunch of vegetables including spinach, broccoli, carrots, kale, and parsley.