Poll: Should candy be banned from office vending machines?
When I’m having a particularly bad day at work, I often find myself studying the vending machine offerings. Since I can’t drink wine at the office, which would really improve my mood, it often comes down to a choice between Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Doritos. Apparently, I’ve got lots of company out there. A new study suggests that unhealthy snacks available at the office are too tempting to resist.
The study investigating workplace eating habits sponsored by Peapod Business Delivery, showed that approximately two out of three employees find it a challenge to eat healthy in the workplace and almost half of respondents blame unhealthy snack options as the number one culprit. Skokie, Illinois-based Peapod, an online grocery delivery service, is a subsidiary of Royal Ahold in The Netherlands,
Cathy Leman, a Chicago-area registered dietitian and certified personal trainer who provides worksite nutrition services to local corporations and businesses, suggests employers stock break rooms with healthy choices like fresh and dried fruit, yogurt, whole grain crackers, nuts, raw veggies with lowfat dip, hummus and baked pita chips, and oatmeal raisin cookies.
Survey findings show that there are major disparities in the workplace between what people want and what they are getting. The top food employees want in the workplace is fresh produce; however only 36 percent of companies that provide food for employees regularly purchase fruits and vegetables, according to the study. The least desired food item that employees want in the workplace is candy. However one out of three businesses make it available on a regular basis, the survey said.
While an apple would be healthier, I have to admit it won’t do as much for my mood as a piece of chocolate. I don’t think I’d be too happy if that wasn’t an option. How about you?


Gail writes about business, health and wine for the Post-Dispatch. She joined the P-D in 2005 after moving from NYC where she covered federal courts and wrote about food and wine. In her free time, Gail lifts weights, and of course, wine glasses.
I am not here to bash the blogger because you are entitled to yor opinion as well as those that were participants in the study. I have to say, though, that the study mentioned and the results shown in the article just shows how bad society has gotten about blaming others for your problems or short comings. If a person cannot bring their own healthy snacks from home or have enough will power to stay away from the junk in the machine DON”T blame the company or the vending machine. Have some self respect and take resposibility for you own actions Also, by all means stop trying to take away others freedom of choice just because you don’t know how to own up to and deal with your own promblems. It is no one elses responsibilty to make sure you eat healthy.