Kids, specifically students in the United States, love snacks that they get from vending machines. This is because vending machines are designed to allow customers to obtain snacks and drinks using various payment methods. It gives customers, especially kids at schools, the liberty to choose whatever they want for a snack at lunchtime. The problem is: most vending machines only offer what our parents call “junk food” or carbonated soda with high sugar content, which is not good for growing and studying kids. These vending machines even offer candies and chips that lack vitamins and minerals, unfortunately, these snacks are loved by most students because they taste delicious. The good news is: some schools in the United States are starting to remove those conventional vending machines and replace them with revolutionary healthy vending machines. You read it right, “Healthy vending machines.” When the Obama administration introduced the usage of these types of vending machines in schools in the United States, it was met with mostly negative reactions from students, stating that the move has ruined their childhood. These students claim that installing healthy vending machines has taken away the fun they enjoyed during snack or lunchtime.
On the other hand, the US government’s move to encourage schools to install healthy vending machines, available at AI Vending, has gained growing support from parents, teachers, and health experts because these vending machines offer healthier choices for students. Some of these choices include fruit juices, energy bars, and freshly-made potato chips. Additionally, some of these vending machines offer ice-cold water instead of soda. Talk about healthy choices. For parents and teachers, the government’s move is a good one. However, educating the students about the benefits is challenging. In fact, some students have been expressing their frustrations on social media, posting images and tweets about healthy vending machines being boring and less fun. Some are already smuggling junk food in their bags because it is no longer available inside the vending machines.
It’s extremely important that students in schools make healthier choices when choosing what to eat or drink at school. However, taking away junk food, despite the negative effects it has on students, won’t necessarily do any good. Forcing them into healthy food choices takes away their freedom to choose what they want. Instead of pressuring them to choose healthy options, students should be taught about the benefits of healthier food and drinks available inside the vending machines. That way, they can learn new things and understand why it’s important to stay healthy. The healthier they are, the better performance they can deliver academically. This is the importance of introducing students to healthy vending machines at schools. After all, AI Vending designed these machines for the benefit of the students.
*Originally published on A1 Vending Service December 08, 2015
