PrintWhen the vending machine calls, what do you choose?
I am sort of having a craving for something right now, and nothing in my current arsenal (my desk drawer) seems to be calling me. I am not sure what I would like, but I have a feeling that I want something from the vending machine. My favorites are usually Snickers or Animal Crackers, or the occasional Pearson's Salted Nut Roll (it's a regional thing in the MN/ND area, if you know it...so good!).
So, what do you usually go for? Is there anything that no one touches? Or that you simply wouldn't go near? Are their healthy options, and do you choose those ever?
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24 Comments:
Microwave popcorn. It stinks up the whole office but I don't care. As far as healthy goes I figure it's as bad for me as anything else in the vending machine so what the hell???
RichardCrystal at 10:30AM on 02/28/08
Mostly PB M&Ms, if I can get them free from the Office Manager (keeper of the vending machine). Lately I always get these (essentially flavorless) low-fat animal crackers from our vending machine here at work. I have no idea why I love them, but as long as they keep me away from the chips and candy bars, then I won't question it.
@Traveller- I'm in MN too. Have you ever toured the Pearson's factory in St. Paul? I haven't but I've always been curious.
LiveToEat at 10:51AM on 02/28/08
We have a woefully badly-stocked vending machine, so I always try to gauge which items get the most turnover. There are some white-chocolate M&Ms in there (I just checked) with the promo packaging from the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie. No wonder they're still there.
The Twix bars are generally fresh, although I wish they'd stock the new PB Twix.
Bakerloo Line at 10:56AM on 02/28/08
I hardly ever find myself in the vicinity of a vending machine, but if I do, and if I've got the munchies, it's usually going to be chips that call my name.
LoCo at 11:16AM on 02/28/08
hot fries or a payday for me
feep at 11:20AM on 02/28/08
The last place I worked had a vending machine. One day I noticed there was mold growing on the hermetically sealed, highly processed fruit pastry concoction.
That was the last time I considered eating from a vending machine.
bisbee at 11:30AM on 02/28/08
Animal crackers (impostors, of course...the real thing only comes in little boxes with string handles!) or pretzels.
chiff0nade at 11:36AM on 02/28/08
I, too, tend to gravitate towards fauxnimal crackers (chiff0nade is right, the real ones come in the cool box), but I also like a bag of Nacho Cheesier Doritos, or Andy Capp's Hot Fries.
I attempted to eat those chocolate covert "donuts." Never, ever again will I pay $.90 for a package of brown wax covered sawdust.
lorelei76 at 11:44AM on 02/28/08
I must confess to puchasing the occasional fake, fudgy brownie with chocolate chips. Our vending machine recently started stocking peanut m&m's, but I'm holding out for plain. But that may be dangerous.
Sometimes if I'm working through lunch, I'll get a diet pepsi and a bag of pretzel nuggets. I like to dip them in the random condiments people leave in the office kitchen- the best is this totally unnatural honey mustard goo, but the hot mustard from take-out chinese food works, too.
Kerosena at 12:08PM on 02/28/08
I rarely (as in...once every 2 months) get anything from the vending machine. I have no idea why, but yesterday I really needed peanut M&Ms. And they were great. If not those, then I'll go for a PayDay or bag of pretzels. The vending machine in my building is piddly and rarely has any of these three favs. Seriously.
emes1 at 12:14PM on 02/28/08
I think I've only gotten something out of the vending machine twice out the past 10 years or so .. the last time was a few months ago after working out hard and feeling a bit faint at work - I got dark chocolate raisinets. The time before that, I just really wanted to try a Take-5 bar as I'd heard they were good (and they are! Caramel, pretzels, peanuts, chocolate .. what's not to like? :)
mrsbao at 12:18PM on 02/28/08
I'd starve to death before I'd buy food from a vending machine.
I really don't know why?
srhcb at 12:19PM on 02/28/08
I think Keebler makes them, those bright orange fake cheeze crackers with the peanut butter inside. Love them. I have to say though, that outside of soda, I don't think I've gotten anything from a vending machine in years.
chisai at 12:38PM on 02/28/08
The vending machine where I work just got the most amazing fried fat and salt concoction ever: Burger King Ketchup Fries.
becomingchloe at 12:54PM on 02/28/08
Actually, I haven't toured there before, but one year for the NordicWare annual bundt competition, I designed a bundt cake after the Nut Goodie Bar, and when I told them about it, they asked for the recipe to post in their offices and factory, and then sent me a load of their goodies to say thanks!
Traveller at 1:31PM on 02/28/08
When I actually had access to a vending machine that served food instead of Tide to Go and razors, I selected 3 Musketeers bars more often than not.
heartnibbler at 1:44PM on 02/28/08
My workplace has a policy on vending machine items. The only chips we have are baked. Our other selections are organic fruit and/or nut mixes and granola. That's pretty much it. No chocolate bars, M&Ms, etc.
With the exception of San Pellegrino carbonated beverages, the only carbonated beverages that our vending machines carry are diet. I'm not a soda drinker, but I *hate* the flavor of diet soda. It makes artificial drinks taste artificial-er. :P Non-diet Snapple and Sobe drinks are available though, as well as a pretty good selection of Tazo tea.
So I guess my vending machine favorites are Tazo Giant Peach and organic iced (green) tea.
Cassaendra at 2:00PM on 02/28/08
I work for a specialty hospital, so maybe the institution informs the vending machine choices -- Nature Valley granola bars, dried apples, nuts, dried fruit trail mix, Smartfood popcorn, etc. There are a couple of candy bars, but I can never, never justify sinking that many calories and saturated fat into one snack.
Heart the trail mix and reduced fat Cheez-its when hunger strikes!
savecara at 2:00PM on 02/28/08
yummm hot fries. I always wondered is the guy on the hot fries package the same guy in the Home Depot store? Can someone please tell me this? lol
FoodieCutie at 2:07PM on 02/28/08
At my work we have a "People's Store." Everything is cheaper than a vending machine, and it is restocked about once a month when a couple of my coworkers go to Costco. So we have diet and regular sodas, V-8s, a variety of candy such as Reese's, Kit-Kats, Nestle Crunch, and peanut and regular M&Ms. Yesterday, they also bought beef jerky, Hot Pockets, and Amy's bean and cheese burritos.
It's nice. This way, nothing is stale. Every once in a while, I've gotta get a Crunch bar. I may get one of those burritos for lunch next week too!
misseditor at 2:20PM on 02/28/08
Why do certain things feel so shameful to admit? Doritos, the kind in the red bag. They're good stuff.
PumpkinBear at 4:17PM on 02/28/08
I especally enjoy curried cockroaches. The crunch of the shell, the silkiness of the wings, and that spicy-yet-nutty flavor. Just kidding. Seen those commercials for the travel channel?
beth1 at 5:12PM on 02/28/08
My hospital prohibits vending machines. Rarely encounter VM unless I'm waiting for my car to be serviced. Actually, bottled water has been my only purchase.
Who has received a "accidental freebie"...like getting 2 for price of one or finding coins left by a previous spender?
JEP at 5:38PM on 02/28/08
I rarely come in contact with a vending machine, but if I do I never choose anything healthy (I think I did trail mix once) If the need for vending machine food arises it's almost always for chocolate, usually twix or reeses or m&ms
mrsmoosie at 8:08PM on 02/28/08