U.S. vending machines to go low-carb

Reuters, 03.05.04, 8:40 AM ET

http://www.forbes.com/business/news...rtr1287739.html

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The office vending machine, with its carbohydrate-laden cookies, candy bars and potato chips, is probably the last place the numerous Americans on low-carb diets would think to go for a snack.

But a company in Beverly Hills, California, is hoping Atkins apostles and South Beach Diet sympathizers will rush to pump quarters into what it is calling the "first low-carb vending machines" in the United States.

Pure Foods LLC Friday announced the launch of the machines, which will include Atkins-branded shakes and bars, as well as other low-carb items. The machines will carry 17 snacks and eight low-carb beverages, the company said.

Seventeen percent of Americans have tried the Atkins diet, arguably the most popular of the high-protein weight-loss plans, according to data from NPD Group, a market research company.

The company, which also operates two low-carb stores, in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, California, said it is negotiating with an unnamed hotel chain that is considering 480 vending machines in 60 properties. Excluding any sales to that chain, the privately held company expects $4.2 million in first-year revenue from the machines.

I just hope they do it right and put some "real" snacks in there.

I simply don't trust artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols and soy. I know we have to have some, but some of these things have way to high levels.

Yeah, "pump" being the operative word: what do you think they'll be charging in Beverly Hills for a vending machine Atkins bar?