PLATTSBURGH — Making healthier food choices has been on health-care providers' list of educational priorities for decades.
However, society continues to offer a plethora of dietary choices that are not always high on the list for healthy foods, whether it be at fast-food restaurants, local grocery stores or even at the workplace where vending machines provide employees with a constant range of snack choices.
The Clinton County Health Department is taking a step toward improving what's available in those vending machines through its Community Worksite Health Initiative program, supported by funding that the county received from New York state.
"Specifically, we're looking at sugar-sweetened beverages: soda, sweetened teas, lemonade, juice drinks," said Jerie Reid, a nutrition expert for the Health Department.
"We're not saying get rid of all sugar-sweetened drinks; but we're working with employers on placement of these products to decrease availability."
PLACEMENT
Vending-machine companies will typically place the best-selling items in the top bins of a vending machine. High-calorie soda choices are often in the very top row, while diet sodas and low-calorie drinks are placed in the bottom rows.
"It's very clear that top items sell better than what's on the bottom," Reid said. "We believe that by switching the location, people will begin to think about better options. This is one way that we can address adult obesity, by cutting down on sweetened beverages."
ADDS UP
More than one-third of added sugars in the diets of American adults comes from sugar-sweetened beverages. For instance, a 20-ounce bottle of regular cola has 280 calories, while a medium sweetened mocha holds 400 calories.
Even fruit drinks hold their own when it comes to calories: 8 ounces of orange juice have 110 calories, and a 16-ounce glass of fruit drink has 230 calories. Sweetened iced tea hits 200 on the calorie scale.
"People often don't realize how many calories they're taking in with each sweetened drink," Reid said. "If you have a soda for break, for lunch and then for afternoon break, that's a lot of calories just on beverages."
SNACK CHOICES
Snacks can also impact the number of calories a person takes in over the course of a work day. Health officials recommend choosing snacks that have no more than 300 calories per package and to limit the number of packages chosen.
A good snack should also have fewer than 7 grams of total fat, fewer than 2 grams of saturated fat, zero grams of trans fat, fewer than 15 grams of sugar and under 300 milligrams of sodium.
Items chosen for vending-machine snacks should mostly adhere to those standards since labels are not always readily accessible from inside the machine.
MORE CONSCIOUS
The Health Department has already reached out to several area businesses and public centers, including the Health and Wellness Center at PARC, the City of Plattsburgh Recreation Department and the Plattsburgh YMCA, who have all made adjustments to what they offer in vending machines.
"We are really conscious of what we provide now," said Kathie Mitchell, member-service director for the Health and Wellness Center, explaining that the facility had more traditional vending machines with sodas and snacks before changing to a more health-conscious supply recently.
"We've worked with the Health Department to come up with a display that's supportive of better choices," said Kymberlie Sweenor, manager at the center. "Since we are an exercise facility, we need to provide choices that replenish their fluids and provide them with energy."
That means some of the choices at the center are high-calorie drinks, but they are aimed at the facility's users who burn a high number of calories during workouts.
Other options are available for consumers with other needs, such as diabetics who use the facility, Mitchell noted.
"We have a diverse population that utilizes the center, and we want to meet all their needs," Sweenor said.
The facility's customers have accepted the change in vending choices and seem pleased with what is available, she added.
HELP AVAILABLE
The Health Department's grant for helping area businesses and public facilities improves their vending-choice options and invites area business owners and supervisors to contact the Health Department for assistance in adjusting vending-machine choices.
Email Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
