Healthy Choice Calculator

How do you know if the food and beverages you choose from vending machines are healthy?

The Nutrition Environment Measurement-Vending or NEMS-V Healthy Choices Calculator can help you determine which foods and beverages are healthiest, healthy, or not as healthy. The food and beverage standards for the NEMS-V Healthy Choices Calculator are divided into color codes based on their nutrition profiles: green (healthiest), yellow (healthy), or red (not as healthy) . The color coding criteria were originally developed using the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools. The criteria has now been updated to match Health and Sustainability Guidelines for Federal Concessions and Vending Operation and is for consumers older than 18 years of age.

The NEMS-V Healthy Choices Calculator can be used to evaluate all vending products including salty and sweet snacks, beverages, ice cream, yogurt, sides or entrees/sandwiches.