Finally, one of the answers we’ve been awaiting for better eating on the go: healthy vending machines. Fit Fuel has fun, approachable vending machines filled with healthy snacks including: energy bars, pita and soy crisps, fruit bars, dried fruit and vegetables, popcorn, trail mix, waters, sports drinks and protein shakes. Their top 10 products are:

1. Larabar - Cherry Pie
2. HoneyBar - Trail Mix
3. Elev8 Me! - All Fruit
4. Bear Naked - Peak Protein
5. Stacy’s Soy Crisps - BBQ
6. Jay Robb - Peanut Butter
7. Luna Bar - Nutz & Chocolate
8. Gorge Delights - Apple/Blue
9. Rocamojo - Soy Hazelnut
10. Lesser Evil Kettle Corn

They were mentioned on the Healthpundits blog.

The only thing that is missing for me is a list of where I can find these healthy vending machines!

b.good is a healthy fast food concept that has two stores in Massachusetts - downtown Boston and Cambridge.  Founders Jon and Anthony strive to serve “real” food, using the healthiest ingredients and cooking methods.  The menu items sound delicious, falling under the categories of burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, sides (real fries or crisp veggies), and shakes (made with non-fat frozen yogurt and skim milk).

Check out their website.  It’s fun and casual, and the our.history section is refreshing and funny.  If you like that, “join the family” and sign up for the newsletter - they even have a welcome video.  Like the website, both are great for a laugh.

Reviews:

• yelp.com
• boston.com
• The Tufts Daily
• MIT Newspaper

To see last month’s results, click

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A recent article on CNN.com talks about a recent report issued by the FDA that says restaurants should do more to help consumers make healthier choices. The FDA report, prepared by the Keystone Center, focuses on the potential impact of restaurants on the health of Americans, especially since more than 1/3 of meals are now consumed outside the home.
Some of the suggestions from the report:

1. Offering smaller portion sizes
2. Providing consumers with nutrition information for menus
3. Concentrating marketing on healthier options

The Wall Street Journal also reported on this issue in its May 31st newspaper. Apparently the report recommends that restaurants provide “lifestyle education”, among other things. The WSJ article also points out that McDonald’s efforts to offer nutrition information, by placing it on wrappers instead of menu boards, is “too late” for consumers.

Links to the CNN article and Keystone Center Report:

• CNN.com: Restaurants on Front Line on Obesity Fight
• Keystone Forum on Away-From-Home Foods: Opportunities for Preventing Overweight and Obesity

 This past Monday, I had lunch at Mixt Greens in San Francisco – one of the newer “green,” organic, and guilt-free places to eat around the city.  The restaurant was hard to find at first because its one street sign was hidden behind the many trucks that were parked on the sidewalk in front.  But once I was inside, I found the décor classy and subtle, the tables elegantly set with fresh orchids, and the salads creative and refreshing.

I decided to create my own salad of “mixt” greens, cherry tomatoes, and fresh berries.  The sweet white corn that they offered was a nice change from the (canned) yellow corn of most salad bars.  My salad was amazing, and I felt incredibly healthy eating it.

I think it’s interesting to note that 70-80% of the customers were women.  And while the salad prices were higher than the norm, it might be worth the extra dollar just to know that you’re eating right.

For more reviews: Citysearch