Snacks and Cravings

Dr. Lena Hanson

Food Science Editor

Dr. Lena Hanson is the Food Science Editor at Snacks and Cravings, where she explores the fascinating intersection of chemistry, biology, and the snacks we eat. She specializes in analyzing food additives, sensory science, and the 'bliss point' to demystify how modern treats are formulated. Through evidence-based reporting and myth-busting articles, she translates complex food science and ingredient breakdowns into practical knowledge for health-conscious snackers.

Expertise

Food ChemistryNutritional ScienceSensory AnalysisFood Additives and PreservativesHealth-conscious SnackingThe 'bliss point'CPG Research & Development

Coverage Areas

The Science of Taste
Healthy Bites
Ingredient Breakdowns
Food Tech Innovations

Latest Articles

An elderly person with a thoughtful expression, contemplating a meal, symbolizing the impact of aging on taste and smell.
Food Science

What Happens to Taste and Smell as We Age?

More than 75% of people over the age of 80 years have evidence of major olfactory impairment, profoundly altering their daily experience of food, according to PMC .

Aug 9, 2026 · 5 min read

A bottle of ketchup being enhanced with a green algae extract swirl, symbolizing increased protein and nutritional value.
Food Science

Algae Extracts Elevate Protein Ketchup's Nutritional Value

A recent study revealed that adding just 3% algal extract to ketchup can double its protein content, while taste testers still preferred its flavor, according to Phys .

Aug 8, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of glowing neural pathways in the brain, illustrating specific sugar and fat food cravings and their biological control.
Food Science

How Specific Brain Neurons Control Food Cravings

In the mouse brain, specific neuron populations encode memories for sugar and fat, a discovery explaining why nearly 99% of adults experience powerful food cravings.

Aug 6, 2026 · 4 min read

Golden retriever eagerly awaits a meal as a hand sprinkles a tasty food topper onto its kibble.
Pet Treats

Top 8 Dog Food Toppers for Picky Eaters

A recent survey found 35% of dog owners report their pet is a 'picky eater,' leading to concerns about nutrient deficiencies and daily mealtime struggles.

Jul 9, 2026 · 5 min read

Artisan cheeses on a wooden table with a subtle overlay of glowing microscopic bacteria, illustrating the science behind their flavors.
Food Science

How Microbial Interactions Shape Artisan Cheese Flavors

A year-long experiment on Cheddar-making, meticulously tracking microbial populations, revealed that removing a single starter culture member like Streptococcus thermophilus caused other essential bac

Jul 8, 2026 · 4 min read

A selection of high-protein, no-cook snacks including protein bars, nuts, and yogurt cups, with a hand reaching for a bag of protein chips.
Healthy Bites

High-Protein No-Cook Snacks for Sustained Energy

Wilde Protein Chips, often seen as a guilty pleasure, surprisingly pack ten grams of protein per serving, challenging the notion that convenient snacks can't be nutritious.

Jul 6, 2026 · 4 min read

An AI interface displaying a burger design with holographic ingredients, representing the future of food creation and consumer trust.
Food Science

AI Can Design Your Next Favorite Burger. Do You Trust It?

BurgerAI's Mushroom Burger achieved an environmental impact more than an order of magnitude lower than a popular fast-food burger, marking a substantial leap in sustainable food production.

Jun 30, 2026 · 2 min read

A bountiful display of fresh potatoes on a rustic table, symbolizing their status as America's most consumed vegetable.
Healthy Bites

Potatoes Remain Most Popular Selling Vegetables in US

Americans consume an average of 110 pounds of potatoes per person annually, making it the nation's most consumed vegetable, reports the USDA Economic Research Service.

Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read

A visual comparison of butter and margarine, highlighting their distinct textures and potential culinary applications in a modern kitchen setting.
Food Science

Butter vs. Margarine: Health, Flavor, and Culinary Uses

In 2020, a quiet FDA ban on partially hydrogenated oils fundamentally changed margarine's health equation, eliminating the ingredient that made it a dietary villain.

Jun 28, 2026 · 3 min read

A selection of high-protein snack sticks, some whole and some broken, displayed under dramatic lighting to symbolize the contrast between their marketing and actual health implications.
Healthy Bites

Evaluating High-Protein Snack Sticks: Health vs. Reality

Eating just 50 grams of processed meat daily, equivalent to a few snack sticks, could increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by 30% and colorectal cancer by 26%, according to Research and Markets .

Jun 26, 2026 · 3 min read

A traveler with a packed lunchbox of healthy snacks at an airport, contrasting with the busy terminal, symbolizing preparedness and sustained energy.
Healthy Bites

Dietitian Approved Snacks for Sustained Energy

Skipping a planned snack leaves travelers vulnerable to overpriced, nutrient-poor airport food or unexpected delays.

Jun 24, 2026 · 4 min read

A glass jar of kombucha with tea leaves in the background, showcasing the fermentation process and the drink's rich color.
Food Science

How Do Scientific Principles of Kombucha Fermentation Affect Tea?

Sales of kombucha are projected to reach 10.

Jun 23, 2026 · 4 min read

Futuristic cityscape with integrated vertical farms, drones delivering produce, and holographic displays showing personalized nutrition, representing advancements in food technology.
Food Science

What are innovations in food tech?

The global food technology market is projected to more than double in a decade, from $210.

Jun 22, 2026 · 5 min read

An Aloha Organic Protein Bar displayed with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, emphasizing its high protein and fiber content for an active lifestyle.
Healthy Bites

Top 3 High Protein Snacks: Protein & Fiber Beyond Steak

Aloha Organic Protein Bars pack 14 grams of protein and up to 10 grams of fiber, a nutritional punch often overlooked when compared to a traditional steak.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A wine bottle resting horizontally in a cellar, with ethereal vapors suggesting chemical reactions occurring inside, impacting the aging process.
Beverages

How Do Chemical Reactions in Wine Bottles Affect Aging?

A bottle of fine wine, stored upright, can become a breeding ground for spoilage bacteria, transforming a potential masterpiece into vinegar, even if its horizontally-stored siblings thrive.

Jun 20, 2026 · 4 min read

A selection of plant-based pet treats on a table, with a dog and cat looking on uncertainly, symbolizing the unknown health benefits.
Pet Treats

Plant-Based Pet Treats: Unproven Health. 2026 Trends Unready.

Despite a booming market for plant-based pet treats, the scientific community admits it does not fully understand if these diets are truly healthy or nutritionally complete for our furry companions.

Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read

Bibigo owner CJ Foods cultivates seaweed in a high-tech, land-based indoor farm for a stable Korean food supply.
Healthy Bites

Bibigo owner cultivates seaweed for stable Korean food supply

In Cheonan, South Korea, CJ Foods plans to break ground in August 2026 on a land-based facility to grow gim.

Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read

A visual representation of the brain's neural pathways and reward system being activated by tempting snack foods, illustrating the neurological basis of cravings.
Food Science

How Do Psychological and Neurological Drivers Cause Snack Cravings?

Nearly all women, 97 percent, and over two-thirds of men, 68 percent, report experiencing food cravings, a widespread phenomenon deeply rooted in the brain's reward system.

Jun 18, 2026 · 7 min read

Close-up of a golden-brown, crispy snack showcasing the appealing textures and colors developed by the Maillard reaction.
Food Science

What Is the Maillard Reaction and Why Does it Matter for Snacks?

Just 1-2 minutes of microwave heating can generate high levels of acrylamide, a potential carcinogen, in soybean processing, according to PMC .

Jun 17, 2026 · 5 min read

A grocery store aisle stocked with healthy food options, featuring signage and QR codes to guide shoppers using weight-loss drugs.
Healthy Bites

Grocers Adapt Aisles and Programs for GLP-1 Users

At Publix, a brochure titled 'Create a lifestyle that lasts' now guides weight-loss drug users, directing them via QR code to a digital product page featuring high-protein and high-fiber foods, accord

Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read