Snacks and Cravings

Processed Foods

3 articles

Editorial illustration for Functional Snacks, Decoded: What the Term Really Means and How to Judge the Claims on the Label
Healthy Bites

Functional Snacks, Decoded: What the Term Really Means and How to Judge the Claims on the Label

"Functional snack" is an undefined marketing term promising health benefits beyond basic nutrition, but the lack of legal definition in the US requires consumers to critically evaluate label claims. The article provides a framework to assess ingredients, quantities, and compare processed snacks to their whole-food counterparts.

Aylin Kaya·November 8, 2026
Editorial illustration for The Bliss Point: How Food Engineers Build Snacks That Override Your Fullness Signals
Food Science

The Bliss Point: How Food Engineers Build Snacks That Override Your Fullness Signals

The bliss point is the precise combination of sugar, salt, and fat engineered by food companies to maximize appeal and override natural fullness signals. Understanding this engineering helps shift focus from willpower to the food's design, with prioritizing whole foods being a key counter-strategy.

Dr. Lena Hanson·November 6, 2026
Artisanal snacks and beef tallow on a kitchen counter, bathed in warm, natural light, highlighting healthy fat ingredients.
The Pantry

FDA Highlights Beef Tallow as Healthy Fat Amid Sales Boom

Sales of food products featuring beef tallow as an ingredient surged to $1.

Siobhan Walsh·June 23, 2026