Yes Honey: Alpha-gal Friendly Sweeteners & Drinks
- Jasmine Uchi, PharmD
- 7 hours ago
- 7 min read
Disclaimer: Please note that this blog post features the story and products of Yes Honey, which includes honey-based ingredients. While the content highlights the journey of a founder passionate about creating allergy-friendly and transparent products, we recognize that honey is not suitable for everyone, particularly for those following vegan or plant-based diets. We encourage all readers to make informed choices that align with their personal dietary needs and preferences.
Meet Heather Mincer, the founder of Yes Honey, who is on a mission to redefine natural sweetness. What began as a pasture-raised chicken farm in Southern Missouri has evolved into a brand dedicated to providing clean, transparent, and safe food options. Today, Yes Honey offers honey-sweetened sodas and flavored creamed honey—alternatives for those seeking a natural sweetener. With growing concerns like alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an allergy to mammalian-derived ingredients and byproducts, Heather is committed to creating products that prioritize both quality and consumer well-being.
Can you share a bit about what you do and your personal story with AGS and other allergies?
I am the founder and CEO of Yes Honey–an allergy inclusive brand that focuses on products sweetened with honey for overall health and helping consumers feel included with our soda, sauce, and syrup alternatives. In 2022, after months of unexplained health issues, I finally got my answer—alpha-gal Syndrome. At first, I suspected Lyme disease since I knew I’d been bitten by ticks. Determined to feel better, I went all-in on a full carnivore diet, hoping it would help. Spoiler alert: it did not. Three months in, I was sicker than ever—severe GI issues, unconsciousness, vomiting, joint pain, you name it. Thankfully, my nurse practitioner recognized AGS right away. And just like that, my carnivore days were over!
At the same time, my son was also dealing with mystery symptoms, though his reactions were completely different from mine. The one thing we had in common? Delayed reactions—a classic AGS curveball. A month later, at just 13 years old, he was diagnosed too. Overnight, our kitchen became a science lab as we learned about histamine responses, became expert label readers, and overhauled everything we ate.
Let me tell you—standing in the grocery store, scanning labels for hours, Googling every ingredient, only to leave empty-handed and overwhelmed... it was brutal. Thank God for our chicken farm—because for a while, we lived on nothing but bland chicken, rice, and vegetables. If you have AGS, you know that taking a chance on the wrong food is not worth the risk.
Yes Honey brought my personal AGS struggle full circle in 2024. As I mentioned, when I was first diagnosed with alpha-gal, grocery shopping felt like a scavenger hunt for safe foods. That struggle led me to create Yes Honey—and be the first company to label products as alpha-gal friendly. This innovation not only makes life easier for those with AGS, but it also set us apart during a recent Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Pitch Competition, where Yes Honey won the food and beverage section. Taking home the $5,000 prize has opened the doors to even more Hy-Vee stores, helping us reach more people who deserve safe, delicious choices.
What would you say is the most challenging part about navigating AGS/other food allergies?
The hardest part of navigating AGS and food allergies? Finding safe packaged foods that didn't send me into detective mode. I've spent way too long reading labels, researching ingredients, and discovering yet another ‘nope’ product - anyone with me? It’s frustrating, discouraging, and honestly, exhausting. As much as I’d love to make everything from scratch, it's just not possible. That’s exactly why Yes Honey clearly labels our products as alpha-gal friendly, gluten-free, and free from artificial dyes—so we can all spot them, grab them, and actually enjoy them.
Tell us your story of how Yes Honey was born. Who created the name?
Yes Honey was born out of a love for healthy ingredients, the need for safe products... and a touch of humor. Originally, we were Naked Chicks Pasture—a fitting name for our organically pasture-raised chicken farm. Every week, you’d find me at the local farmers market, selling our birds. I never planned to start a beverage company, but when we developed our honey-sweetened sodas and brought them to the market, it was clear pretty quickly that we needed a website.
They say hindsight is 20/20, and in our case, that couldn’t be more true. While Naked Chicks Pasture worked great for a farm, it wasn’t exactly ideal for a growing beverage brand with an online presence. The issue? People were shortening the name...and leaving off “Pasture”. Let’s just say, they found products we definitely weren’t selling.
The brand is the perfect blend of my two worlds - my crunchy mom side and my journey with alpha-gal syndrome. After my diagnosis, I realized just how many foods were off-limits due to their ingredients. I had already been using raw honey as a natural sweetener in making my own ice tea, but took it a step further by connecting with a recipe development company to commercialize and started selling them at the farmers market along with my chicken. People loved the honey-sweetened sodas—they were intrigued and thankful for a clean, healthy soda. Just like that, Yes Honey was off—like a bee on a mission! Several months later I launched my Honey Drizzlers–a sauce and syrup alternative using honey and freeze dried ingredients!
How do you ensure your products are safe for people with AGS and other allergies?
I don’t just source ingredients—I hold them to the highest standard of excellence. That means no gluten, no artificial dyes, colors, or flavors, no mammalian products or by-products, and absolutely no unnatural sweeteners. I go the extra mile to ensure natural flavors (which can sometimes be sneaky) are 100% vegan-verified because when I was shopping, full transparency and peace of mind weren’t just nice to have—they were mandatory. Now, I make sure anyone who purchases Yes Honey gets the same confidence from every product.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work with Yes Honey and the allergy community?
The sweetest part of growing Yes Honey is getting to cheer on and connect with so many amazing people! Watching someone take that first sip or drizzle, seeing their face light up with that ‘oh wow!’ moment—nothing beats it. As someone who’s been through the food sensitivity struggle, I know how isolating it can feel. But guess what? You’re not alone. We are here to make life a little easier, a lot tastier, and way more fun.
What is your best selling item? What is your favorite item?
Our best-selling soda? Peach—hands down. Sweetened only with honey, naturally caffeinated from green tea, and packed with ashwagandha, B-vitamins, and L-theanine, it’s not just a drink—it’s one of the best functional beverages on the market.
When it comes to our Honey Drizzlers, garlic takes the crown for savory. Everyone loves this one, but AGS warriors? They’re obsessed. On the sweet side, chocolate is a game-changer for anyone missing classic chocolate syrup—except this one is honey-sweetened, deliciously rich, and free from all the junk. Say goodbye to Hershey’s! After having to play it safe with bland foods, a little drizzle of magic brings flavor back.
Any exciting events or anything else you would like to share with us?
I am excited to announce that we've been busy at the Hive and will be launching our newest flavor...Honey-Sweetened Ginger Ale! It's the first "traditional" soda flavor but with the Yes Honey twist: no junk, just real ingredients! This year Yes Honey will be making a buzz at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago followed by the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC. This will be our opportunity to bring awareness to and education about alpha-gal and other food allergies to major players in the food and beverage sector!
Can you share any advice for someone newly diagnosed with AGS or another food allergy?
My best advice for anyone navigating food allergies or sensitivities? Find your people and soak up the support! There are more resources than ever, and awareness is growing every day. I know it’s easy to feel defeated—I’ve seen so many people stuck in the ‘why me?’ mindset. But listen, this allergy doesn’t define you. You do. Surround yourself with groups and voices that lift you up, remind you of what’s possible, and leave you feeling encouraged. Because trust me, there’s still so much deliciousness ahead.
In celebration of National Food Allergy Awareness Month, Yes Honey is offering a 10% discount on orders of $50 or more! Use code "SweetClarity10" at checkout. |
We don’t earn any commission from this; we’re simply offering it to support our community! Offer ends June 30, 2025.
Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on Pill Clarity is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.
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