We see offices, health clubs, retailers, hospitals and virtually all vending machine sites following this trend quickly, Vartabedian says.

The solution? A company called YoNaturals is paving the way for healthier options in vending machines.

The company has introduced the YoZone combination drink-and-snack vending machine that includes 45 different top natural and organic  brands.

YoNaturals vending snack foods and drinks have been recognized as highly nutritional by Vartabedian.

Nutripoints rates every food for its nutrient density, based on 26 key nutrients. The higher the score, the better the food.

The goal is to eat at least 100 Nutripoints each day from six food groups.  When this goal is reached, people are assured their diets will meet or exceed the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances and recommendations of the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.

A comparison of traditional vending offerings versus YoNaturals Natural and Organic offerings found the following:

Traditional Vending Machine

Coke soft drink       -6.0

Dorito chips            -1.0

Oreo cookies         -2.5
                        
Points                     -9.5

YoNaturals Vending Machine 

Vruit fruit beverage      11.5

Clif Luna Bar                28.5

Horizon organic milk     6.0

Points                            46.0

People need healthier options, especially ones that offer low glycemic index and are low sugar and fat contents, Vartabedian says. And most importantly, the options must have high nutrient density and good taste.

Considering that the vast majority of snacks and beverages in existing vending machines contribute to obesity, diabetes and heart disease in the country today, its critical that people seek out companies like YoNaturals.

The consumer quest for healthy lifestyle changes and nutritional influences has never been greater, and companies like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes and YoNaturals are at the forefront of this revolution, Vartabedian says.

A diet of five small healthy meals provides people with more consistent energy to help them perform better and even lose weight, according to dietitians and nutritionists.

And that makes healthy snacking preferences are critical, Vartabedian says. 

Times have changed and people want healthier options in their diets, he adds. 

YoNaturals has focused its distribution efforts on people interested in identifying opportunities for healthy vending in their communities.

The majority of YoNaturals operators are those who believe in the benefits of consuming healthy snacks and beverages.

"The fact that nutritionists and dietitians are telling their customers and clients about us is a great reward to us," says Mark Trotter of YoNaturals.

The 26 nutrients analyzed by Nutripoints are calories, cholesterol, total fat, saturated fat, protein, complex carbohydrates, sugar, fiber, vitamin A, thiamin (B1) riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), panothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), vitamin B12, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, sodium, caffeine and alcohol.