 Vending machines are likely not the first place you would go to get healthy foods. Unfortunately, however, some of us need to grab a quick snack on the go. That is where the Traffic Lite Vending program comes into play. This program not only offers healthier options in the vending machines, but also helps kids lose weight. Here’s how:
Coastal Canteen has been willing to work with the Heart Health Program and MUSC Employee Wellness to provide healthier snacks in their vending machines all across the campus. Every item in the vending machines is marked with a colored tab. The colors signify their nutritional value based on the Stop Lite Vending program criteria. The tabs are Red, Yellow and Green, just like the stoplights on the streets. The criteria are as follows: Rank (color) | Saturated Fat (% of total calories) | Total Fat (% of total calories) | Calories | Red | More than 10% | 40% or higher | 211 or higher | Yellow | 5-10% | 35-39% | 141-210 | Green | Less than 5% | 0-35% | 0-140 |
Pretzels
(pretzels have their own ranking due to sodium [Na] content) | Yellow | 450mg Na or more | Green | Less than 450mg Na |
Nuts & Seeds
(nuts & seeds have their own ranking due to content of unsaturated fat versus saturated fat) | Red | More than 15% saturated fat | Yellow | 10-15% saturated fat | Green | Less than 10% saturated fat |
These markings make it very simple for us to make healthier choices. As added incentive for making those choices, all of the Red tab foods will have a 5-cent surcharge added to them. The proceeds from this surcharge will be donated to the Heart Health Program, which is Children’s Hospital’s pediatric weight management program that helps kids fight obesity and learn how to live a healthy life. As of right now, there are 26% Green and Yellow tab items in the vending machines. The future of this program hopes to see a higher percentage of Green & Yellow tab items. Special thanks to:
Coastal Canteen
MUSC Employee Wellness
Heart Health and Children’s Hospital
MUSC President Greenberg for his continued promotion of health on this campus
Roy Dingle for taking care of the business end of the program | 
