Joyce Hendley

1 week ago | health.harvard.edu | Joyce Hendley

With its bright green flesh, it looks like a vegetable — but botanically, an avocado is a fruit. And from a nutrition standpoint, it fits more into the healthy fat category: half of a medium avocado has as much fat as a tablespoon of olive oil. Indeed, avocados can defy categorizing. And they’re clearly popular: the average American eats about nine pounds of avocados per year, much of it around football season and holidays, where guacamole is a party staple.

Mar 17, 2025 | health.harvard.edu | Joyce Hendley |Teresa T Fung

March 17, 2025 By Joyce Hendley, Health Writer Reviewed by Teresa Fung, MS, RD, ScD, Contributor; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Beloved by smoothie shops and influencers alike, pitaya — a.k.a. dragon fruit — is increasingly popular. And there's no denying this dramatic-looking fruit has an alluring Game-of-Thrones-esque name and appearance. But is it also the nutritional powerhouse some are claiming? What is dragon fruit?

Mar 14, 2025 | eatingwell.com | Joyce Hendley

Key TakeawaysSome side effects of cancer treatment can make it difficult or unpleasant to eat. Including protein in every meal and snack, getting enough fluids and choosing easy-to-swallow foods may help with eating issues. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to eating with cancer, so talk to your medical team about your nutrition concerns. If you are going through treatment for cancer, there’s a good chance you’ll experience some eating problems at some point.

Mar 4, 2025 | health.harvard.edu | Joyce Hendley |Teresa T Fung

If you've been to the soup section of the supermarket lately, you've probably noticed that bone broths are crowding the shelves. These savory broths are having a moment, especially among those following paleo, keto, or other trendy low-carb diets. What is bone broth? At its simplest, bone broth is made by simmering animal bones (usually chicken or beef) in water for a long period of time, extracting their nutrients and flavors to produce a savory broth.

Feb 4, 2025 | health.harvard.edu | Joyce Hendley |Teresa T Fung

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body, and it's a major component of your bones and teeth. But your body can't make calcium on its own, so it's essential to consume calcium-rich foods (and, sometimes, supplements) to meet your daily calcium needs. As with any nutrient, choosing foods with calcium rather than a supplement should be your first choice. Luckily, nature offers a bounty of choices. Health benefits of calcium Calcium is best known for building bones and keeping them healthy.