Vending Machine Options

With the number of Arlington, VA individuals who have to navigate life without gluten because of an illness like Celiac Disease, it is helpful to know that gluten-free foods are now more readily available. A recent report from Research and Markets, Gluten-Free Foods in the U.S. 6th Edition, projected that sales of gluten-free foods in the following categories—Salty Snacks, Crackers, Fresh Bread, Pasta, Cold (ready-to-eat) Cereal, Baking Mixes, Cookies, Flour, and Frozen Bread/Dough—are expected to grow to more than $2 billion by 2020. That is a lot of gluten-free food and snacks.

So, what exactly is gluten? The Celiac Disease Foundation defines gluten as “a general name for the proteins found in wheat (wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, KAMUT® khorasan wheat and einkorn), rye, barley, and triticale – a cross between wheat and rye.” Gluten behaves as the glue that holds food together. Several different categories of ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, and protein do not naturally have gluten. Creating snacks and other grain-based products requires additional knowledge about how each gluten-free ingredient works as the many of the frequently used grains contain gluten.

There are, however, many plant-based gluten-free ingredient options that are now being used to create healthy, tasty, and filling snacks. The following are a few that Arlington, VA employees might be familiar with:

Researchers from Gluten-Free Foods in the U.S., 6th Edition found that “pulse-based [ingredients] are particularly valuable in improving the nutrient quality of gluten-free products, as they are richer in fiber, protein, and micronutrients than GF [gluten-free] staples rice and tapioca flour. The appeal of ancient and sprouted grains is much like that of pulses. For food processors [or manufacturers], these ingredients provide whole food, plant-based protein sources that enhance appearance, deliver unique tastes and textures, pack a nutritional wallop, and invite variety and innovation.”

With such a wide variety of ingredients and the different ways that they can be used, the availability of tasty gluten-free snacks in Arlington, VA has grown to include many different salty and sweet snack choices. Gluten-free salty snacks often include rice and corn puffs flavored with aged cheddar or popped potato chips with barbecue flavoring. Sweet treats vary from cookies made with rice or oat flour to gluten-free Greek yogurt with a wide variety of fruit choices.

Have you considered offering both gluten-free and traditional snacks and beverages in your office break room? SunDun Office Refreshments offers both traditional options as well as products that are gluten-free for those who need gluten-free choices. We can also help you determine the best mix of choices to offer in your office break room. For more information, contact SunDun Office Refreshments at 800.466.2731.

How do snacks fit into your day? Do they replace a meal or help you survive until your next one? Or, maybe they’re an energy boost? What about a reward or something to satisfy a craving? You aren’t alone if your snacks function as just one of those, or if they are all three at the same time. According to Tamara Barnett, VP of strategic insights for Bellevue, Wash.-based Hartman Group, “How we go about planning, acquiring and consuming food has been disrupted, and the result has been the displacement of meals and variations in when, how and what gets consumed.”

To help the Gaithersburg, MD consumer adjust to these changes and see value in a snack or beverage, it is important to understand what the three primary snack needs are.

Snacking for Nourishment

• helps to meet daily caloric needs and to stay hydrated
• keeps energy levels stable and up
• helps to manage health and diet
• stops hunger between meals
• examples: yogurt, granola bars, whole fruits and vegetables, water, and smoothies

Snacking for Optimization

• helps to meet mental and physical performance goals
• offers an energy boost
• helps with recovery after exertion (loss of nutrients, fluids & energy levels)
• increases mental focus
• examples: coffee, whole fruits, popcorn, nuts, and higher protein bars or smoothies

Snacking for Pleasure

• offers comfort and stops cravings, at least momentarily
• can be either an indulgence or a reward
• creates a time to eat different flavors and textures
• is an opportunity to discover and try new foods
• examples: cookies, candy, chips, wasabi peas, salted nuts, and flavored milk

Each of these snack needs can function independently or in combination with each other. In most situations, the Gaithersburg, MD consumer unconsciously requires that the snack be pleasurable even if the primary goal is nourishment or optimization.

Understanding the different snack needs of your employees is important as snack consumption in the workplace is up 10 percentage points to 16% compared to five years ago. 16% of the individuals looking for a snack find it at work (cafeteria or catering) and another 14% find their snacks in vending machines. One way to increase those numbers and have a positive impact on your employees is to reconsider the types of healthy snacks and beverages offered in your office break room. Barnett suggests optimizing break room layouts and product assortments to inspire snacking occasions and to meet your employees’ needs. Not only is it good for your employees’ health and well-being, but it’s also good for company morale and productivity.

To learn more about the wide variety snacks and beverages we offer and our vending options including traditional vending and free vend, contact SunDun Office Refreshments at 800.466.2731.