‘Healthy’ snack machines still not much change

The fare sold in “healthy” vending machines may do less damage to your waistline than the products found in mainstream machines, but experts caution that any processed snack is worse than a piece of fresh fruit or a handful of roasted nuts.

Top-selling items in mainstream vending machines across the country, according to the 2011 State of the Vending Industry Report:

Snickers bar: 280 calories, 14 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 30 grams of sugar

Peanut M&Ms: 250 calories, 13 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 25 grams of sugar

Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream potato chips: 240 calories, 16.5 grams of fat, 2.25 grams of saturated fat, 345 milligrams of sodium

Top-selling items in “healthy” vending machines, according to Fresh Healthy Vending and H.U.M.A.N. Healthy Vending:

Popchips: 100 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 0 saturated fat, 160 milligrams of sodium

Aged White Cheddar Pirate’s Booty: 130 calories, 5 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 140 mg of sodium

Stacy’s Parmesan Garlic Herb Pita Chips: 195 calories, 7.5 grams of fat, .75 gram of saturated fat, 405 mg of sodium

—Elena Conis

Source: Company product nutrition labels on company websites.