Happy Hour

What are the best sugar alternatives for diabetics?

When it comes to managing diabetes it’s a must to decrease sugar (glucose) intake in order to manage blood sugars. I wrote up a whole post here about sugar alternatives and reviewed the “pros” and “cons” of each so that might be a helpful post to review.

Since the goal is to reduce sugar intake (doesn’t matter the source of added sugar for a diabetic the goal is to really limit it) I would say using a product like Stevia is probably your best bet. Ideally, you’re reading labels trying to find products without added sugars and working to retrain your taste buds to need less sugar in your diet overall. As for sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners found in many “diet” products…these come with potential side effects to the gut and metabolism that I worry about.

Alix- what is selenium and what are are brazil nuts and why are they important?

Selenium is a mineral we need (not a lot of) and it’s best to get through whole foods in our diet. It can act as an antioxidant, heart disease protection, good for brain health (cognition), thyroid health, immune system, and overall an essential mineral for your body to function properly.

I take one brazil nut/day (most days I remember) which contains 137% of the RDI of selenium…bam! Selenium is also found in a lot of seafood, mushrooms, eggs, chicken, and sunflower seeds.

What was the recipe for the chia seed pudding you posted in stories?

I don’t do anything fancy…I mix 4 tablespoons chia seeds with 1 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond or hemp) a lot of cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Shake it up in an air tight container and store in the fridge. This makes about 2 servings and makes a great breakfast or snack option. I like to top it with berries and/or granola…delish!

There are also a ton of recipes on Pinterest if you’re looking for something a little extra 😉

What are your favorite drug store find beauty products?

I find myself browsing the Walgreen’s and Target beauty aisles often (like 2-3x a week) and always find new things to try! But here are just a few of my tried and true drug store finds for my babes on a budget:

I’ve been reading up on gut health and I see articles recommending removing gluten from the diet… I’ve wondered before about trying “gluten free” products here and there but have been told that’s a waste of time unless you are going “all in” and 100% gluten free – is this true? Am I wasting my time removing gluten “here and there” vs 100% gluten free? Does that make any sense!?

Yes that makes sense 😉 So, if someone is a true celiac (gluten allergy) then they must be 100% gluten free or will experience horrible symptoms even with the slightest ingestion of gluten. But, if someone is decreasing gluten products in their diet for another reason (like gut health) you can still experience some relief/benefits limiting gluten and finding gluten free alternatives.

I would encourage you to find natural gluten free substitutions instead of relying heavily on processed packaged products like crackers, cookies, chips, baked goods, etc. Just because these foods are labeled “gluten free” doesn’t mean they are healthier than their gluten filled counterparts and typically have a lot less fiber in them.

Try adding in more sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa as natural gluten free grains. If you have a gluten sensitivity you will still benefit from limiting your overall intake and notice which foods you can tolerate and which ones you can’t. Doesn’t have to be all or nothing unless significant intolerance or allergy.

I have a spring break trip planned in March and I’m in need of a new pool/beach cover-up. Something under $75 preferably!

I love cover ups that are “running after a toddler” friendly and can transition from the pool to a casual restaurant.. these are some favorites of the moment:

Heather: Are you exclusively breastfeeding and how often do you pump?

Breastfeeding is no joke people! It does not come naturally to me and takes a long time for me to find a groove and for my milk to kind of even out based on supply and demand.. and I feel like I have finally found a rhythm with Parker. First off, I am not exclusively breastfeeding. He gets formula here and there when needed, like when I am running errands or working out and he gets hungry.. he gets a bottle of formula. I try to pump 2-3 times a day but honestly, I am failing at that right now. Between feeding him and keeping the other two monsters alive, I don’t have a ton of time to pump. The only real time I could pump would be before bed (so tired and usually fall asleep before my head hits the pillow) and during all three of their nap time (and this is when I can get blog work done and some self care.. hell, even a nap for myself) so pumping is kind of last on my priority list. I want to do a better job at pumping to keep my supply up but for now, Parker is still attached to my hip (ahem, boob) and is getting plenty of breastmilk to keep him healthy.

I need a pair of fleece lined leggings for a ski trip I’m taking in a few weeks.. something that will keep me warm when I am out and about in town but still cute to wear with boots and long sweaters. 

My girlfriend recently turned me on to these fleece lined leggings and they are SO warm! I will be wearing them all winter. These are another great pair and a touch cheaper. These are high waisted (praise). And if you’re looking for a bit more FLARE, these Moto pair will do the trick as will this liquid version.

As always, thanks for stopping by and showing us some love! Send us your questions at champagnetheory@gmail.com.

xx, H&A