Breakroom Snack Choices Archives - Automatic Food Service Blog

Montgomery Break Room Snacks for a Healthy 2023

Posted on January 5, 2023December 23, 2022 by Katie Waxman

There’s more to a healthy diet than eating salads and counting your calories. In fact, the best diets are chock-full of various nutrients and vitamins. One way to stay full and fueled is by eating healthy snacks throughout the day. From protein-packed legumes to classic fruits and veggies, adding healthy snacks and drinks to your Montgomery office break room services can help employees stay on track with their wellness goals. And with the new year, there’s no better time than now for an upgrade!

Whether you hope to enhance your current vending machine options or give your office micro-market a healthy update, we’re here to help! At Automatic Food Service, we provide delicious break room snacks that employees are sure to appreciate. To help you get started, we’re sharing the best healthy snacks for your Montgomery break room below.

Eat high-protein snacks daily

Providing your team with healthy snacks isn’t just good for employees. It’s also good for the business! Snacks can help maintain blood sugar and give employees the energy they need to complete great work. For instance, snacks that are packed with protein keep you full and satisfied between meals. Protein is also essential for muscle recovery and helps maintain a healthy weight. Some great high-protein snack options include:

Beef Jerky: Chewy, satisfying, and oh-so-nutritious! Give employees tasty jerky options by requesting the most popular flavors in your Montgomery vending machine.
Mixed Nuts: Nuts are full of protein and flavor. Plus, they provide employees with much-needed energy and healthy fats.
Protein bars: For a quick and tasty energy boost, protein bars are a foolproof option. Employees will appreciate having this simple yet healthy snack in the break room.

Put whole food in your Montgomery micro-market

Whole foods are the key to a healthy lifestyle. “Whole foods” refers to food that has been processed or refined as little as possible and is free from additives or other artificial substances. Fruits and vegetables are the best places to start. There’s a reason you’re supposed to eat five servings a day! Some break room-friendly options are apples, oranges, and bananas, as well as carrots and celery sticks. Additionally, unprocessed animal products, such as eggs, are great whole-food options. Plus, they’re also high in protein! Find these in your Montgomery micro-market.

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Dairy items for strong bones

Keeping dairy snacks in your break room is a must! In fact, according to Healthline, dairy is the best source of calcium in the human diet. Therefore, it offers a variety of benefits, such as building and maintaining strong bones. When it comes to the best dairy break room options, string cheese and yogurt are your best bet.

Include low-calorie options in your Montgomery break room

Sometimes a salty crunch hits the spot. Therefore, we provide employees with low-calorie snack alternatives. One great option is popcorn—it’s a whole grain and only about 106 calories per one-ounce serving. Not only are low-calorie snacks a healthier option, but they’re equally (if not more) flavorful! Trust us, your employees will be flocking to the break room.

Liquid snacks are just as tasty

Don’t forget the benefit of hydration! Herbal and green teas have been shown to have many positive health benefits. For instance, green tea may improve brain function, increase fat burning, lower the risk of disease, and more. Plus, drinking tea helps fill you up, keeping you satisfied until your next meal. Therefore, tea is a great addition to your office coffee service.

Aim for healthy break room snacks!

The snacks and drinks you provide can help employees stay healthy and energized. So help them keep fit this year! Contact Automatic Food Service at (334) 264.7336 or info@afsvend.com for more information about our micro-market, office coffee, vending, or water filtration services. We look forward to working with you!

Tips for Healthy Snacking in Your Auburn Break Room

Posted on July 19, 2022July 12, 2022 by Katie Waxman

Contrary to what some people believe, snacking isn’t always a bad thing. Sure, constantly downing bags of salty snacks may not be great. However, there are alternative ways to create healthy snacking habits. Do you want to promote productivity and corporate wellness at your company’s workplace? If so, our break room solutions can help you do just that.

A healthy and happy workplace starts with a high-quality vending service. Whether you opt for an Auburn micro-market or a snack vending machine, the food you choose to provide employees makes a difference. When healthy vending options are available at the office, employees can make positive lifestyle choices daily. And they’re going to love you for it!

So, how can you promote healthy snacking at work? Keep reading to find out our best tips for healthy snacking in your Auburn break room.

Provide Healthy Snacking Options

The best way to promote healthy snacking at work is to keep healthy options in your Auburn snack vending machine. While salty, sugary, and processed foods are okay in moderation, it can be better to stick to more natural, whole-food options. Therefore, request new, healthy snacks in your vending machine or micro-market. When employees see them clearly available, it’s easier for them to make that positive choice. As a result, employees will feel more energized and be more productive. It’s a win-win!

When and How Often to Eat

Healthy Vending Auburn | Office Snacking | Wellness

Snacking is all about finding the balance between hunger and mindless eating. Are you actually hungry or just need a distraction? It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. But what you can control is when and how often you grab a snack.

The amount of snacks you should eat throughout the day depends on your activity level. If you’re a very active person, you may want two to three snacks between meals per day. If you exercise less frequently, just one snack per day should suffice. It’s best to have a snack when hunger strikes about halfway between two meals. Grab a snack from your micro-market to help you stay full until your next meal.

What to Eat

Now that you know the basics of healthy snacking, what are you supposed to actually snack on? The key to healthy snacking is choosing food that’s high in protein, low in sugar, and low in processed ingredients. A few great snack options to look for in your Auburn break room include:

Nuts: These are high in protein and healthy fats!
String Cheese: This is a tasty and protein-packed snack!
Fruit: Fresh whole foods are always best, and the all-natural sugar kick will give you a boost of energy.
Yogurt: Mix a bowl of yogurt with fresh berries for breakfast or a healthy snack.
Oats: These are an excellent way to stay full until your next meal.
Protein bars: Grab a protein bar whenever you need to curb your cravings.

Start Healthy Snacking Today

Are you ready to upgrade your snack vending machine and micro-market? To enhance your Auburn office break room, contact Automatic Food Service today. We can help you build a vending program that works for you. To learn more, call us today at (334) 264.7336.

5 Important Products For Every Auburn Snack Vending Machine

Posted on September 23, 2021September 20, 2021 by Katie Waxman

During a hectic workday, it can be tough to catch a bite to eat. Auburn snack vending machines are essential for hungry employees. They enable your team to load up on yummy foods. Moreover, it gives them the chance to enjoy frequent breaks.

Your Auburn break room service is the place to go for snacking pleasure. Here are five snack vending machine items you should always have in stock.

1. Salty Snacks

It’s hard to resist salty chips! Crunchy snacks curb hunger. Additionally, they let your team munch on something super tasty. But today’s chips are no longer the salt-packed snack they used to be. In fact, there are tons of healthier options available.

Chips aren’t the only snack superstars! In fact, peanuts and pretzels also make great options. Whole-wheat pretzels are delicious and nutritious. Be sure to offer both in your Auburn snack vending machines.

2. Sweet Treats

Besides salty snacks, your employees also crave something sweet. Healthy cookies are great snack idea. Workers may develop a mid-day sweet tooth. Satisfy their tastebuds by keeping these tasty treats in your Auburn snack vending machines. Best of all, your employees won’t have to leave the office to grab a bite to eat. They can simply head to the break room for a quick snack!

3. Better-For-You Options

Some employees want healthier snack choices. As a result, healthy snack options are beneficial to have in your vending machine. Keep your Auburn break room stocked with healthy snacking alternatives. Better-for-you snacks will help your team reach their nutritional goals. Moreover, it will promote workplace wellness. Let’s work together to support your Auburn corporate wellness program within your vending services.

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4. Crunchy and Crispy

Craving something crunchy? Popcorn and trail mix can all be great break room snacks. Employees will enjoy these snacks at any time throughout the day. Crunchy snacks also keep rumbling tummies full. In fact, they’ll keep employees fueled all day long.

5. Refreshing Beverages

Snacks aren’t the only items your break room needs! In fact, refreshing beverages are also important to have available. Having quality Auburn beverage vending machine options is rewarding to everyone. It will encourage employees to drink more and keep them hydrated throughout the day. Consequently, this will improve their focus and productivity levels. What’s more, a hydrated staff equates to a more efficient office!

Take Your Auburn Snack Vending Machines to the Next Level

Do you want to level-up your Auburn break room services? Automatic Food Service can help! Our industry experts will find the perfect solutions for your needs. Let’s chat! Call us at (334) 264.7336 to learn more.

Montgomery Workplace Refreshment Services | Office Coffee Service | Vending | Food

What Do Regional Favorites Say About Your Montgomery Refreshment Services?

Posted on May 13, 2021May 12, 2021 by Katie Waxman

Offering refreshment services in the break room help companies meet employees’ needs, improve workplace satisfaction, and foster coworker friendships. When supplying the break room refreshments, don’t only fill your Montgomery break room with regional favorites. Even when areas of the country tend to prefer specific types of drinks, having a variety of options will keep things interesting.

Keep reading for three ways you can optimize your Montgomery vending services to satisfy every craving your employee’s may have.

Break Room Advice from the Coke Vs. Pepsi Debate

The debate over Coke or Pepsi teaches a lot about satisfying employees’ cravings. Traditionally, those in the south favor Coke, while people from northern states prefer Pepsi. This is a debate that will live on forever, no matter where you’re from.

To meet all employees’ cravings, consider carrying all the popular brands in your Montgomery micro-market program. You never know where someone is from, and they might find joy in their day by finding a non regional favorite product in their break room!

Refreshment Services Learned from Iced Tea

In some regions, the sweet tea vs. unsweet tea fight runs deep. In the south, iced tea automatically means sweetened tea. If you want unsweetened tea when you’re ordering, you will have to specify this. In the north, order iced tea and the server will bring you just that – iced tea without any sugar. No matter which region you’re in, “iced tea” has different meanings to both.

Northerners believe unsweetened tea and sugar packets suffice as an alternative to southern sweet tea, but they don’t! People consider the number of sugar packets necessary to sweeten unsweet tea to the south’s standard excessive.

Montgomery Break Room Refreshment Services | Micro-Market Service | Tea Service

Use this information to benefit your break room beverages. By providing both sweet and unsweet tea, you satisfy everyone’s palate. Be sure to include sugar in your Montgomery office coffee service, so that you meet all employees’ needs.

Chicago Pizza Teaches About Refreshment Variety

Ask anyone in Chicago about pizza, and deep-dish comes up in the conversation. Even though the reverse-engineered pizza originated in Chi-Town, not every Chicagoan loves deep-dish pizza. Nor do they eat it every day.

Even those who love Chicago-style pizza often opt for other styles. Chicago teaches that just because someone comes from the Windy City, they prefer to have a variety of different options available to them.

Regardless of where your company resides or where employees originate, you should always offer a variety of food and beverage products. Employees appreciate options and when you stock your Montgomery break room with a lot of them, they’ll notice the difference!

Montgomery Refreshment Services for Your Break Room

If you need to upgrade your Montgomery refreshment services, look no further than Automatic Food Service. Vending machines, micro-markets, and office coffee solutions – we cover all your break room needs! Call (334) 264.7336 to learn more today!

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How Rotating Your Montgomery Break Room Snack Options Benefits Employees

Posted on April 8, 2021April 7, 2021 by Katie Waxman

Variety is the spice of life. This certainly applies to food. In fact, a meal or snack that includes a variety of foods has been shown to lower the risk of malnutrition. Diverse food choices also increase happiness and heighten the snacking experience.

To promote wellness in the workplace and boost employee satisfaction, Montgomery businesses should offer their staff a variety of healthy snack and refreshment options.

Here’s how diverse vending machine options can benefit your workplace culture.

Employees Crave Snack Options

Stocking your Montgomery micro-market and vending machines with new and trendy products will stir-up excitement. Employees are turning to their office break room to discover new snack brands.

To encourage your staff to revisit office vending machines throughout the workday, offer them more than the popular products they already love. Consider healthier options such as granola bars, nuts, and low-calorie chips. Premium teas and specialty coffee drinks are also sure to be a big hit.

The element of surprise in your break room product selection will keep employees engaged and curious.

Promote Wellness

Having Montgomery vending machines that are full of diverse snack and beverage options can help employees healthy and energized. Healthy snacks with high nutritional values can promote workplace wellness. Moreover, healthy employees are more productive, have more energy, and able to efficiently tackle their to-do lists.

Consider offering employees gluten-free or vegan-friendly snacks. They will appreciate the variety of healthy options available to them.

Fresh, Local Coffee

There’s nothing better than a fresh cup of high-quality coffee first thing in the morning. Make the switch from ground coffee to bean-to-cup machines. Montgomery businesses that offer fresh, organic coffee allow employees to enjoy workplace culture more. Additionally, your staff will appreciate that their coffee came from a local and sustainable source and feel instantly energized!

Single-cup coffee machines are eco-friendly and guilt-free. These break room beverage options give your staff the best of both worlds!

Montgomery Snack Choices | Office Coffee | Refreshment Options | Workplace Culture

Employees Love Specialty Drink Options

In addition to fresh coffee, offices should offer employees a variety of coffee alternatives. Transform your Montgomery break room into a café by allowing employees to enjoy teas, lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

There’s also numerous coffee alternatives can elevate the workplace break room experience and promote employee satisfaction.

If an employee prefers cold beverages, be sure to provide that choice too! Healthy juices, refreshing sparkling waters, and yummy teas all make excellent options.

Offer Your Employees More Snack Variety

Automatic Food Service is the prime choice when it comes to offering diverse snack options in the break room. Enhance your employees’ break room experiences by stocking your break room with a variety of brand selections.

To learn how our team can diversify your workplace vending machine options, visit us at Automatic Food Service or call (334) 264.7336. We look forward to partnering with you!

Why Candy Should Be on Your Auburn Break Room Menu

Posted on August 31, 2020September 3, 2020 by Katie Waxman

What is your favorite type of candy? Is it something made with chocolate or without? According to The Daily Meal, the answer may depend on the state you live in. M&M’s came in first with 13 states followed by Skittles (10 states), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (7 states), Snickers (4 states), Sour Patch Kids (4 states), Jolly Ranchers (3 states), Kit Kat (2 states), Starburst (2 states), Twix (2 states), and Hershey Bars, Milky Way, and Swedish Fish each got one state a piece. While each of the above candies tastes quite different, they all have one thing in common—they have the ability to boost one’s mood, especially during the past six months.

New data from the National Confectioners Association found that the overall sale of candy and chocolate has gone up 3.8 percent since March 2020. Chocolate sales increased by 5.5 percent and premium chocolate sales jumped by 12.5 percent during the same time period. Compared to a decrease of 1.3 percent from 2018-2019 for all chocolate and an increase of only 0.8 percent for non-chocolate candy, this year’s numbers are a big deal.

Whether an Auburn consumer’s preference for a sweet treat is candy, chocolate, or even something healthy, employers have an opportunity to offer their employees some stress relief via the break room. Providing a variety of options in the break room also encourages employees to stay on-site instead of leaving during the workday.

Snacks

Creating a customized menu with traditional snacks like candy and chocolate as well as better-for-you snack options makes sure that there is something for everyone. It’s not unusual for the same individual to choose a cookie or bag of potato chips one day and a protein bar the next. Snacks also help to provide an energy boost until the next time an employee can grab a meal.

Hot and Cold Beverages

A well-rounded beverage menu should include a selection of both cold and hot caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages. Caffeinated options such as coffee or soft drinks can provide a quick energy boost for those who need it while bottled water and hot or iced tea help Auburn employees stay properly hydrated.

Fresh Food

Since many Auburn individuals, especially Millennials, prefer to snack on multiple mini meals throughout the day instead of eating the traditional three meals per day, access to fresh food is especially important. Without on-site options, those employees are likely to spend extra time off-site purchasing fresh food.

Automatic Food Service is here to help your organization customize the best refreshment option for your employees especially in the time of COVID-19. For more information about our traditional and healthy snack, beverage, and fresh food options, vending and micro-market services, and our office coffee service, please contact us at (334) 264.7336. We would like to help create a refreshment menu that helps decrease everyone’s stress levels.

Traditional and Healthy Snacks in Auburn

Snacks and 3 Important Characteristics in Auburn

Posted on June 26, 2020June 25, 2020 by Katie Waxman

Snacks have many different purposes. For some Auburn individuals, they are a meal replacement while for other individuals they are a treat or a reason to gather with colleagues or friends. Just as there are different characteristics that make people unique, there are many reasons why individuals choose to snack.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic triggered drastic changes in how Auburn employees live and work, snacks have become even more essential for many individuals. According to a recent U.S. Snack Index survey “85% of respondents said eating their favorite snack makes them feel normal.” Some of those favorites are potato chips, popcorn, and corn chips. In this time of great change, small things that create a sense of normalcy are important since they can positively impact mental health.

But snacking on one’s favorites isn’t the only thing survey participants want. They still prefer easily accessible snacks over ones that are harder to acquire, and they want variety or the option to try new products. In fact, 86 percent of survey participants said that the most important factor in deciding about what to snack on is convenience while 83 percent said sticking with a favorite ranks at the top.

Convenience

Many Auburn employers have been presented with a new opportunity to make sure their snack and beverage menus offer what their employees want. It’s worthwhile to take the time to ask employees about their preferences. Considering your employees’ opinions sends them a message that says, “We value you.”

With only 47 percent of survey participants saying they could locate all the snacks they wanted while shopping, employers have been presented with a new opportunity to increase convenience and customize their break room benefits. Offering on-site refreshments not only ups the convenience factor but they also encourage employees to stay on-site during breaks and meals.

Less time spent off-site increases employee productivity and hopefully decreases the risk of infection. Gathering on-site in small groups during breaks also creates essential moments that can be used to rebuild morale and the office community that has been missing with fewer employees in the office.

Something New

Even though survey participants placed a heavy focus on snacking on their favorites, they are still interested in trying new snacks. In the survey, Millennials and Gen Z represented the largest and most adventurous demographic. A few things to consider, in addition to convenience, when thinking about what Millennials and Gen Z are looking for with new choices are healthy options, high-protein, low calorie snacks, options with a low environmental footprint, and trustworthy brands.

How successfully does your Auburn break room menu meet your employees’ refreshment needs? Whether you need to make a complete overhaul or just a few changes, Automatic Food Service is available to help. We offer a wide variety of traditional and healthy snacks and beverages as well as contactless payment options to help keep everyone safe. For more information, please call us at (334) 264.7336. We look forward to hearing from you.

Finding Sustainable Snacks in Auburn

Posted on February 29, 2020March 1, 2020 by Katie Waxman

How much do Auburn consumers really know about the snacks and beverages they consume? Some attributes like price, convenience and taste are relatively easy to determine, but whether an item was produced in an environmentally sustainable way is a lot harder to figure out.

In addition to taste (86 percent), price (68 percent) and convenience (57 percent), the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2019 Food and Health Survey determined that sustainability (54 percent) is an important factor when it comes to making a purchasing decision.

Unfortunately, those 54 percent of participants have different interpretations about what makes a product environmentally sustainable, creating some confusion. The following list includes the top six interpretations of environmentally sustainable.

locally produced products: 51 percent
products labeled as sustainably produced: 47 percent
products labeled as non-GMO/not bio-engineered: 47 percent
products labeled as organic: 44 percent
products that have recyclable packaging: 41 percent
products that have minimal packaging: 35 percent

With 63 percent of the survey participants also agreeing that it is hard to know if a product is environmentally sustainable, the confusion about the definition of environmentally sustainable makes sense. But a definition does exist. According to the U.N.’s Brundtland Commission on sustainable development, “sustainable development [meets] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

To determine if snacks or beverages are sustainable look for the following certifications: USDA Organic, Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane Raised and Handled, Fair Trade USA Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified. Another approach is to learn about a brand and the specific types of ingredients that brand uses. If an employee trusts a brand and is familiar with the types of ingredients that a brand uses, they are more likely to purchase that brand’s snacks and beverages.

Auburn employers can help ensure that environmentally sustainable products are available for their employees by including micro-markets or vending machines with healthy options, a variety of coffees and sustainable paper products in their break room. Automatic Food Service makes that even easier for local businesses by offering a variety of healthy snacks, beverages, fresh food and delicious coffees. For more information about our menu, please call us at (334) 264.7336.

Snacks Adapt to Meet Auburn Consumer Needs

Posted on July 31, 2019July 31, 2019 by josh

The future of healthy snacks looks bright according to Fact.MR, a market research firm. Their recent report examined current and future scenarios of the snack market for the years between 2017 and 2022 and found promising data for the healthy snack sector.

According to the report, changes in the definition of health and wellness have led Auburn consumers to seek transparency when it comes to the ingredients in their favorite snacks. Unlike previous years when a brand name, by itself, could sell a snack, today’s consumers prioritize the quality of ingredients over brand names. In addition to organic ingredients, non-genetically modified organism (GMO), clean, low-sugar, gluten-free, and healthy ingredients are at the top of the most wanted ingredients list.

Two additional characteristics continue to influence consumer demand. New snacks must have the ability to bridge the gap between nutritious and indulgent and offer ingredient lists that take regional or local taste preferences into account.

Now that we know healthy snacks aren’t going anywhere, what can Auburn employees expect to find in their break room vending machines or micro-market? Both snack bars and sippable or ready-to-eat soups will likely make an appearance, if they haven’t already.

While snack bars will continue to be consumed as snacks, many will also be used to replace a meal. Bars eaten as meal replacements will need to offer nutritious ingredients including a variety of healthy proteins. Healthy sippable soups can also function as a snack or a meal thanks to healthy ingredients, convenience, and versatility.

Which healthy snacks do your Auburn employees look for when they need a quick bite to eat? Do they have a favorite beverage? It’s important to understand which products they reach for first in order to be able to offer the most highly desired products.

We would like to help your organization customize a healthy vending machine or micro-market menu to meet your specific needs. For more information or to schedule a product sampling, please call Automatic Food Service at (334) 264.7336.

Savory Snacks Fill a New Role in Auburn

Posted on March 31, 2019April 3, 2019 by josh

Healthy, savory and tasty snacks are exactly what Auburn employees are looking for when they need a quick bite to eat. A recent survey about the Global Health & Wellness (H&W) market for Savory Snacks found that the growing number of health conscious individuals and the increase of awareness about obesity and its complications have contributed to the increase in demand for healthier and more nutritious choices.

But Auburn consumers are looking for more specific information about their snacks. Reading that a snack might be healthy isn’t enough. They want to know if a specific savory snack is ‘free from’ or ‘food minus’ certain unhealthy ingredients. For example, the demand for savory snacks that are ‘free from’ a particular ingredient such as cholesterol accounted for 82.6 percent of the total demand for savory snacks. Consumers have learned that avoiding cholesterol and saturated fats is important as both can lead to cardiovascular disease, a major cause of death worldwide.

So, what does this information have to do with your Auburn break room vending services? A lot. Savory snacks aren’t going anywhere especially as today’s employees consume heavier, more nutritious snacks as mini meals.

The effects of eating healthier are more far-reaching than most of us realize. In the short term, employees who make healthier choices can have more energy and are able to focus and concentrate more effectively because their bodies have received the right kind of fuel. Increased overall productivity and potentially better long-term health are some of the long-term results that healthier snack and beverage choices today can impact tomorrow.

One way to help your Auburn employees make healthier choices is to meet them where they are with healthy, savory snacks and refreshing, cold beverages. But, unfortunately, it isn’t enough to just place any healthy items in your break room vending machine. Make sure that everyone knows that their preferences have been considered by creating a customized snack and beverage menu. If there are enticing and healthy choices at work, grabbing something not-so-healthy off-site will require more time and work to accomplish the same task.

Automatic Food Service, a top wellness provider in the Auburn area, can help you customize a vending machine menu that meets all of your organization’s sweet or savory, healthy needs. To schedule a savory snack product sampling, please call Automatic Food Service at (334) 264.7336.