I sympathize with the author, I've had similar thoughts about snacks. We need more non-sweet snacks. Ideally something that tastes good, is not too salty, is healthy and satisfies your cravings.
That's a hard one.
In terms of beverages alcohol-free beer gained popularity in recent years because it's not sweet, has half the calories of juice/soda yet actually carries some taste.
If I were to imagine something fitting this description, it would have to be something you have to chew for extended periods of time.
South African food actually has this in abundance, biltong is like beef jerky but better in almost every conceivable way - not to mention all the other variants of it for example dry stix, droevors, etc.
Not to say we don't also have other sweet snacks, but compared to other places I've been nowhere quite has the same level of "savory" snacks