Last Updated on March 7, 2025 by higherring
Colleen Kavanagh is here with the latest Food Gossip! Wondering why our beloved Pure Plant Protein Powder has been out of stock?
Watch the video to hear the full update, including why it took longer than expected and how we found a new supplier that meets our strict sourcing and purity standards.
ZEGO’s Pure Plant Protein Powder is Coming Back! Here’s Why It Took So Long
When our original supplier, who worked directly with farmers, had to close their business, we knew finding a replacement wouldn’t be easy. ZEGO’s whole food Pure Plant Protein Powder is made from 100% sacha inchi. This nutrient-dense seed is naturally high in protein and has the best balance of all 9 essential amino acids compared to pea, rice, soy, and hemp. It’s also easily digestible, making it a fantastic choice for those looking for a clean, plant-based protein source.
But not all sacha inchi protein is created equal. Many versions on the market have a strong, bitter taste and gritty texture—qualities we knew wouldn’t meet ZEGO’s high standards. After months of searching, we finally found a handful of suppliers whose protein met our taste and texture requirements.
Purity Matters
Of course, taste and texture weren’t the only hurdles. At ZEGO, we go beyond organic. We test for 500+ pesticides and heavy metals, ensuring our plant-based protein powder is as clean as possible. Unfortunately, most of the samples we tested failed our lab’s heavy metal screenings—some by a shocking amount.
But we finally found one that meets our purity standards. We’re thrilled to bring ZEGO’s Pure Plant Protein Powder back to you in April (maybe even sooner!).
Want a Discount on Your First Order?
We’re so excited to share this with you that we’ll be offering a special discount when our new batch arrives! Leave a comment or email us at customerservice@zegofoods.com, and we’ll make sure you get one.
Thank you for your patience and support—we can’t wait for you to try it!
Colleen Kavanagh
Colleen has dedicated over 20 years of her career to improving the federal nutrition programs on the local, state, and federal level in her work for Congress, the School Nutrition Association, California Food Policy Advocates, and her own nonprofit project called A Better Course. Frustrated with the inability of federal action to bring truly healthy food to those in need. she started her food company ZEGO in 2013 to focus on food purity and nutrition density. Through ZEGO, she encourages consumers to advocate for themselves and ask the brands they love to measure and report the purity of their food.
🥣☕️ Happy International Tea Day!
We’re steeping into something new — tea-infused oats! ✨
We saw this idea floating around the internet and had to try it! We made our Cinnamon & Spice Organic Superfood Oatmeal Blend by cooking it with oat milk steeped in blackberry spice tea instead of plain water. The result? A cozy, aromatic bowl with layers of flavor. 🍇🌿
Here’s how to do it:
1️⃣ For 2 servings, steep 2 tea bags in your milk or water
2️⃣ Use the infused liquid to cook your ZEGO oats (or pour it over for overnight oats!)
3️⃣ Add your favorite toppings and enjoy
Want to experiment? Try it with:
🍵 Chai
🌱 Peppermint
🍋 Earl Grey
🍵 Matcha
Check our Stories for more tea-inspired oatmeal recipes — and let us know if you have tried tea-infused oatmeal before in the comments below! 💬👇
May 21
🌾 What is Purity Protocol?
And why does it matter if you’re gluten-free?
Oats are naturally gluten-free, of course, but they can easily get contaminated with wheat at every step — from farm to package:
🚜 Farming: Oats are often grown near or after wheat, leading to grain mix-ups in the field.
🏭 Processing: Many facilities use the same equipment for wheat and oats.
📦 Packaging: Oats may be packed alongside gluten-containing grains.
Unlike conventional oats, which rely on machines to try to sort out gluten-containing grains like wheat and barley, ZEGO oats are grown using a more rigorous and preventative approach called Purity Protocol, a patented farming method used to prevent gluten cross-contact in the field.
Here’s how it works ⬇️
🌱 Our partner farmers save seeds from the previous year’s crop, reducing unintended cross-contact
✅ Our oats are grown from a special variety that is significantly shorter than wheat and barley.
👀 As the plants grow (but before they form grains), farm workers hand-pull any taller sprouts — removing the risk of gluten grains from entering the harvest.
🧪 Then we test each batch down to 5 parts per million (ppm)
Our dedicated facility is free from gluten and the top allergens. No peanuts, no wheat, no dairy, no tree nuts, no soy, no milk, no eggs, no sesame, no sulfites, no celery, no corn, and no mustard. Our packaging has no corn derivatives.
💚 The result?
Some of the cleanest, safest oats you can buy — grown with care to nourish and protect your family.
👉 Curious about our testing? Just scan the QR code on any ZEGO package or visit our website to see your oats’ results. Have questions? Drop them in the comments below or send us a DM!
May 19
🌾 Today is Celiac Awareness Day, part of Celiac Awareness Month, and we’re honoring the millions impacted by this serious autoimmune disease — including our founder, Colleen Kavanagh.
Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune condition that damages the small intestine’s villi and interferes with nutrient absorption. It’s estimated to affect 1 in 133 Americans, yet many go undiagnosed for years.
In this short video, Colleen shares her personal journey — from painful, debilitating symptoms to a diagnosis that changed her life and led to the creation of ZEGO, a brand built on clean, transparent food you can trust.
💚 Here’s a few ways you can get involved and help spread awareness:
👩🏫 Share Resources – Share presentations, posters, or videos at your school or workplace. @childrensnational @foodallergy @beyondceliac @celiacdiseasefoundation are a few amazing resources with downloadable brochures, posters, and more!
🎉 Host an Event – Plan a gluten-free snack day or awareness activity in your classroom or community.
🔬 Support Research – Donate to organizations like @celiacfoundation that are working toward better treatments and a cure.
✨ And most importantly, share your story. Whether you’re living with celiac disease or supporting someone who is, your voice can help others feel seen, supported, and empowered. Comment below or tag us in your post!
🎁 BONUS: Donate and Win!
As a thank-you for supporting celiac research, we’re giving away a ZEGO gift bundle to one lucky person who donates. Just leave a comment with the name of the organization you donated to on our giveaway post for a chance to win!
May 16
🎉 Philadelphia, here we come!! 🎉
We’re SO excited to be headed to the Wicked Gluten Free Expo this weekend—it’s the BIGGEST gluten-free event in the country!
Come by our booth #142 to meet the ZEGO team, sample our Purity Verified oats, muesli, and superfood blends — and learn how we go above and beyond to ensure safety for people with food allergies and celiac disease.
Tag a friend and make a day of it — we can’t wait to see you there!
✨ Booth #142
📍 Greater Philly Expo Center in Oaks, PA
🗓️ Saturday, May 17 | 10am–5pm
✨ Whether you’re gluten-free, have food allergies, or just love delicious, nourishing food, we’d love to meet you! Will you be attending the expo this year?
May 15
✨Gluten-Free Blackberry Crumble Protein Bars 😋
These allergy-friendly bars are bursting with tart berry flavor and a touch of sweetness — made from 100% plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, egg-free ingredients and no refined sugars.
Crumbly with a little crunch from the seeds in our Superfood Oatmeal Blend, these bars make the perfect breakfast, snack, or even dessert!
💪 Protein comes from our specially selected oat variety and Organic Pure Plant Protein (made from sacha inchi seeds — no stevia, gums, or additives).
🫐 Blackberries add fiber and a boost of vitamins C, K, and A, as well as potassium and manganese — and they’re low in calories, carbs, and fat.
🌱 Fiber in oats and blackberries also aids digestion and may help support healthy blood sugar levels.
RECIPE
🍽️ Makes one 8×8 pan
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 C ZEGO Double Protein Oatmeal
• 1 1/2 C ZEGO Cinnamon & Spice Organic Superfood Oatmeal Blend
• 6 Tbsp. ZEGO Organic Pure Plant Protein
• 2 C Fresh Blackberries
• 1/3 C + 3 Tbsp. Organic Maple Syrup
• 2 Tbsp. Rice Flour
• 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
• 1/3 C Coconut Oil, melted
• 1/2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2-3 Tbsp. Coconut Sugar, for topping
• 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2️⃣ Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper
3️⃣ Add 1 1/2 C ZEGO Double Protein Oats to a blender or food processor and blend on high for about 90 seconds until it becomes a fine flour
4️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, protein powder, 1/3 C maple syrup, Cinnamon & Spice Superfood Blend, salt, coconut oil, and vanilla — mix until just combined (no dry spots!)
5️⃣ Press about 3/4 of the mixture in the pan in an even layer to form the crust
6️⃣ In a small saucepan, combine blackberries, 3 Tbsp. maple syrup, lemon juice, and rice flour — cook over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, until bubbly and thickened. Mash lightly with a spatula.
7️⃣ Pour the blackberry filling evenly over the crust
8️⃣ Crumble the remaining crust mixture on top and sprinkle with coconut sugar
9️⃣ Bake 30–35 minutes until golden brown
🔟 Let cool completely before cutting into squares (tip: pop them in the freezer for easier slicing!)
✨ Enjoy!
May 14
🎉 Food Allergy Awareness Week Giveaway! 🎉
This past Sunday kicked off Food Allergy Awareness Week, and ZEGO is proud to stand with our food allergy community. 💙
At ZEGO, supporting the food allergy community is at the heart of what we do. That’s why all our products are made in a facility free from the top 14 allergens and we’re proud to bring the community clean, worry-free food that is healthy and nutritious.
To help spread awareness and support the incredible work being done in this space, we’re hosting a giveaway!
Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Make a donation—any amount helps!—to your favorite food allergy–related organization or charity
2️⃣ Leave a comment below with the name of the organization you donated to
3️⃣ You’ll be entered to win a ZEGO Prize Pack full of our gluten-free, allergy-friendly, transparency-first products ($50+ value)! 🙌
BONUS ENTRIES:
1️⃣ Share this post to your stories for an extra chance to win
2️⃣ Share a post from your favorite food allergy-related organization or charity to your stories for an extra entry to win. (Be sure to tag @zegofoods so we see it!)
💚 Let’s give a shout out to all the amazing nonprofits working to make life safer and better for everyone living with food allergies.
—
Giveaway Terms:
Open to U.S. residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Meta, Instagram, or Facebook. One winner will be selected at random and contacted via DM. Giveaway closes 05/19/2025.
May 12
We’ve been counting down the days right along with you…
We’re thrilled to announce that our Organic Pure Plant Protein Powder is finally back in stock at zegofoods.com! 🎉
This simple-but-mighty powder is made from just one ingredient—organic sacha inchi seeds. We keep it minimally processed to preserve its nutrients, fiber, and naturally nutty flavor (with NO nuts!).
It’s clean, powerful, and crafted with integrity—just like you expect from ZEGO.
💪 Just ONE ingredient: 100% organic sacha inchi seeds
🌱 6g of complete protein per tablespoon
✅ Free from gluten + top 14 allergens
🌾 Glyphosate-tested + Purity Verified
🌍 Supports small organic farms
This is plant protein at its cleanest—and you can only get it at zegofoods.com! 🙌
May 9
📍 Where’s ZEGO? This Celiac Disease Awareness Month, we’re thrilled to feature @maysglutenfreemarket in Rhode Island! 🌟
Founded by Celeste Bremer in 2022, May’s was created to be a safe haven for those living with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Today, Celeste, Guetty Antiste (aka the Empanada Assassin!), and Jay Romano continue that mission—offering a carefully curated, 100% gluten-free and allergen-friendly space where folks can shop with confidence.
💚 We’re so proud to have ZEGO on their shelves and to be part of their effort to make gluten-free eating simple, safe, and delicious—with food that tastes even better than its gluten counterparts.
If you’re local, be sure to stop in and support this incredible small business that’s doing big things for our community!
🛍️ Know another shop that should carry ZEGO? Tag them below—we’d love to connect!
May 8
🌟 Celiac Disease Awareness Month Tip from Colleen 🌟
This Celiac Disease Awareness Month, our founder Colleen shares an important reminder about the impact of GLP1 medications (like Ozempic) on nutrition, especially for those with celiac disease. These medications can affect your calorie intake, making it even more crucial to focus on nutrient-dense foods to stay healthy. 💚
👉 Watch Colleen’s video to learn why regular doctor visits and mindful nutrition are essential—especially for those managing celiac.
We’d love to hear from you: If you’re navigating this, what strategies do you use to ensure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs? Drop your tips below! 👇#celiacdiseaseawarenessmonth #celiacdiseaseawareness #nutrition #glp1 #healthjourney #healthandwellness
May 6
🎉 It’s Celiac Disease Awareness Month, and we’re honored to stand with our celiac community.
At ZEGO, every product is made with you in mind—gluten-free, free from top allergens, and tested for toxins like glyphosate and heavy metals. Because safety, transparency, and nourishment should be the standard, not the exception.
This month, we’ll be:
📢 Sharing celiac facts & education
🎁 Hosting giveaways
💬 Uplifting voices from our community
Let’s talk, learn, and grow together this month. Drop your story in the comments or send us a DM. We’d love to hear from you! 💚
May 1
If you’re looking for a high-protein sweet treat for breakfast, these chocolate hazelnut protein oats are perfect for you. 🍫🌰This recipe uses chocolate and hazelnut simple syrup (like the kind you use to sweeten your coffee) to boost the flavor of toasted hazelnuts. 😋
✨ Vegan & dairy-free friendly
🌾 Gluten-free + Purity Verified
💪 plant-based protein
🌰 Contains nuts
Here’s how to make it👇
Ingredients
▪️ ⅓ cup ZEGO Double Protein Organic Oats
▪️ ¼ cup vanilla or unflavored plant-based protein powder
▪️ ½ tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds
▪️ 1 tbsp hazelnut simple syrup
▪️ ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or any low-fat milk)
▪️ 1 tbsp chocolate syrup or partially melted chocolate
▪️ ½ tbsp chopped hazelnuts, toasted
Optional toppings:
▪️ Chopped chocolate
▪️ Extra toasted hazelnuts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a ramekin.
Blend oats, protein powder, flax/chia, hazelnut syrup, and milk until smooth (about 15 seconds).
Pour ½ of the mixture into the ramekin.
Add chocolate sauce to the center and sprinkle in hazelnuts.
Cover with remaining oat mixture.
Top with chocolate + hazelnuts.
Bake 20–22 min, until the center is just cooked and dry to touch.
Let cool slightly before digging in!
No hazelnut syrup? Try one of these:
▫️ 1 tbsp water + hazelnut stevia drops
▫️ 2 tsp water + 1 tsp sugar + ¼ tsp hazelnut extract
Tag us if you try it! #ZEGOEats 💚
Apr 30
Earth Day may be over, but its message should guide us all year long. 🌍
As Dr. Zach Bush says: “We can’t have healthy people on a sick planet.”
And the data backs him up.
Soil depleted of nutrients = crops lower in nutrition.
Chemical pesticides = toxins in our food and water.
Industrial farming = harm to the planet and our health.
That’s why ZEGO chooses a different path—
✅ Supporting regenerative and organic farming
✅ 3rd Party Lab Testing for toxins and heavy metals
✅ Sharing the results on our website, because you deserve transparency
Earth Day is a moment to reflect. Your next meal is a chance to act. 💚
Apr 25
🌱 Happy Earth Day from ZEGO! 🌾
This Earth Day, we’re celebrating one of the most sustainable crops on the planet—oats! 💚
Not only are oats nourishing and naturally gluten-free, they also use less water, help rebuild healthy soil, and require fewer inputs than many other grains. That makes them better for you and better for the planet. 🌍
📍 This stunning field in Montana is one of the places our oats are grown. We’re lucky to work with farmers who care deeply about the land and grow using Purity Protocol methods to ensure safety for those with celiac and food allergies.
This Earth Day, we invite you to pause and appreciate where your food comes from—and how it can help build a healthier planet. 🌍💚
Apr 22
🌟 Where’s ZEGO? In Eugene, Oregon @capella.market
— your neighborhood destination for high-quality, natural foods! 🌟
We’re thrilled to announce that our nut-free, organic muesli is now available at Capella Market — a store that shines as brightly as the star it’s named after (seriously, Capella is one of the brightest stars in the northern sky ✨).
Capella Market has deep roots in Eugene’s natural foods community and is committed to providing nutritious, high-quality options for your family. And now, that includes ZEGO’s Purity Verified muesli — packed with gluten-free oats, seeds, and dried fruit, and always free from the top allergens.
🛒 Find us at:
📍 2489 Willamette St, Eugene, OR
📍 In the historic Oasis/Wild Oats building!
Next time you’re shopping for breakfast or snack staples, grab a bag (or two) and taste the ZEGO difference. 💚
Apr 21
🥕✨ Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Overnight Oats ✨🥕
If you love carrot cake, you’re going to love this wholesome twist — no baking required!
Our Cinnamon Spice Organic Superfood Oatmeal Blend makes the perfect base, with warm cinnamon, allspice, sunflower seeds, and flax for added nutrition and crunch — all without any nuts, gluten, dairy, or added sugar.
This recipe is allergy-friendly, meal-prep friendly, and made in just minutes the night before.
What you’ll need for 1 serving:
🥣 1/3 cup ZEGO Cinnamon Spice Superfood Oatmeal Blend
🍇 1 tbsp golden raisins
🍇 1 tbsp raisins
🥥 1 tbsp shredded coconut
🥕 3 tbsp finely shredded carrots
🌿 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
🍁 1 tbsp maple syrup
🥥 1/3 cup coconut milk (or oat milk if needed)
Toppings: More raisins, shredded carrots and coconut, walnuts (if no allergy concerns!), and a dollop of your favorite yogurt (we used vanilla bean coconut yogurt)
How to make it:
1️⃣ In a jar or lidded container, mix together milk, vanilla, and maple syrup
2️⃣ Stir in carrots, raisins, and coconut
3️⃣ Add your ZEGO oatmeal blend and mix until combined
4️⃣ Refrigerate overnight or at least 2 hours
5️⃣ Top with more shredded carrots, raisins, and a dollop of your favorite yogurt
🥄 Perfect for busy mornings, after-school snacks, or even a healthy dessert.
💬 Tried it? Tag us — we love seeing your ZEGO creations!
Apr 18
🧡 Customer Love from Texas! 🧡
We’re always so grateful when you take the time to share how you enjoy ZEGO products! Here’s what one happy customer had to say about our Organic Cinnamon Twist Muesli:
“This muesli is really good. I like it mixed with cottage cheese or yogurt. I love anything with a cinnamon taste and have not ever had any muesli like this before. I recommend trying it.”
— CMVTexas
✨ Not too sweet. Full of cozy cinnamon spice. And completely unique — just like all our muesli blends.
Perfect stirred into yogurt, as a topping for baked goods, or enjoyed straight from the bag with your favorite milk as a healthy cold cereal alternative.
📍Have you tried Cinnamon Twist yet? Let us know your favorite way to enjoy it in the comments!
Apr 16
🫐🍋✨ Blueberry Lemon Poppy Oatmeal Cookies ✨🍋🫐
Soft, chewy, and naturally sweet — these cookies are a breeze to make and totally allergy-friendly!
✅ Gluten-Free
✅ Dairy-Free
✅ Nut-Free
✅ Egg-Free
✅ Made with just a few simple ingredients!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
(makes approximately 22-24 cookies)
🥣 1 bag ZEGO Blueberry Lemon Poppy Organic Superfood Oatmeal Blend
🍌 2 very ripe bananas
🍁 1/4 cup maple syrup
🌿 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
🧂 1/2 tsp salt
🌻 2/3 cup sunflower seed butter
🍋 Zest from 1 Lemon
Optional: 1/4 c dark chocolate morsels
Directions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F
2️⃣ Mash bananas in a medium bowl
3️⃣ Stir in maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and sunflower seed butter
4️⃣ Add the oatmeal blend and mix until well combined. The mixture will be very wet, not so much a dough
5️⃣ Using a cookie scoop, scoop the mixture onto a baking sheet and flatten slightly with a fork
6️⃣ Bake for 12–15 minutes until the edges are golden
💡 Tip: Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 20 minutes before removing — they’ll firm up as they cool. Try to move them too soon and they may fall apart!
💬 Enjoy and tag us if you bake a batch — we’d love to see!
Apr 14
💪 Why Protein-Packed Oats Are a Smart Start to Your Day 🌞
Did you know oats are nutritionally superior as a protein source compared to many other cereals? And ZEGO’s Double Protein Oats take that even further — with 10g of plant-based protein per serving. That’s double what most oats offer.
But why does that matter?
➡️ Protein helps keep you full and focused.
➡️ It supports muscle maintenance and growth.
➡️ And for many people — from athletes to aging adults — getting a bit more protein at breakfast can make a real difference.
In fact, a study of over 10,000 healthy adults found that breakfasts with 10–23g of protein were linked to better blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
✨ Pro Tip:
Cook your ZEGO oats with milk instead of water to boost protein even more (by ~8g) — plus you’ll get essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and iodine. Prefer dairy-free? Choose a fortified plant-based milk that suits your needs.
💬 Whether you’re eating gluten-free, plant-based, or just looking to stay energized, our Double Protein Oats make it easy to get a wholesome, protein-strong start to your day — no powders or additives needed.
Apr 10
Did you know last week was National Sourdough Day? We’re still celebrating over here! 🥖😋
We made our sourdough starter using our raw Double Protein Oats (yes, oats!). And guess what? We’ve been putting the discard to delicious use—like in these Gluten-Free Sourdough Discard Rosemary Crackers! 🌿
They’re savory, herby, and totally snack board-worthy—plus they’re celiac and allergy-friendly 💚
✨ Gluten-Free Sourdough Discard Rosemary Crackers ✨
Ingredients:
1 cup ZEGO Double Protein Oats, ground into flour
1 cup sourdough discard (gluten-free)
1/3 cup crushed sunflower seeds
4 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tbsp dried rosemary
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp gluten-free baking powder
4 tbsp olive oil
Extra herbs + flaky salt (like Maldon) for topping
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Blend ZEGO oats into flour using a high-speed blender or food processor (1–2 min).
In a medium bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, mix the olive oil with the sourdough discard (it won’t fully combine).
Combine wet and dry ingredients. If the dough feels too dry, add 1–2 tbsp oat milk.
Divide dough into two portions. Place between two sheets of parchment and roll it out (the thinner you roll it, the crispier your crackers will be!).
Peel off the top parchment. Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the crackers lightly with olive oil. Then sprinkle with flaky salt and extra fresh or dried rosemary.
Slice into crackers using a pizza cutter, or use a small biscuit cutter for round shapes. Lightly score the middles with a fork.
Bake for 30–35 minutes until edges are golden and crisp.
Let cool, then snack away!
Let us know if you give this recipe a try!
Have you ever used oat-based sourdough discard before?
Apr 8
🌾 San Diego friends! ZEGO’s Double Protein Oatmeal and Organic Mueslis are now available at Jimbo’s 🎉
We’re honored to be on the shelves at Jimbo’s, a San Diego favorite with four locations (and more coming soon!). Jimbo’s has been leading the way since 1984 with a strong commitment to organic, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture 🌱💚
Just like ZEGO, they believe in purity, transparency, and nourishing food that supports both people and the planet. That’s why we’re thrilled to team up.
✨ As always, we suggest calling ahead to make sure your favorite flavor is in stock!
Big thanks to @jimbosnaturally for supporting regenerative farmers and clean food for all 🙌
Apr 4
Eagerly awaiting the return of incha powder!!! This is hands down the best and most natural protein powder to take.!