Did you receive a batch of our oats this summer that’s a bit darker than usual? Watch the video below to learn why.
Typically, we source most of our organic oats from the beautiful fields of Montana. But in 2024, we ventured out to South Dakota to see if we could find some good growing regions for our gluten-free grains.
We wanted to do this because when we diversify where we grow, we spread out our crops. This allows us to safeguard against things like droughts or grasshopper infestations, ensuring you always get the oats you trust despite nature’s challenges.
So, what’s special about this batch of oats from South Dakota? What makes them different? Well, they’re a little bit higher in polyphenols and a little bit higher in protein. This can give them a slightly richer color—and sometimes a touch more bitterness. But don’t worry, they’re just as safe, healthy, and gluten-free as always!
At ZEGO, we’re always here to ensure you get the highest quality oats, no matter where they’re grown. So cook up your oats, savor their flavor, and enjoy the natural differences that make them special.
Cooking Tip: When preparing these oats, just follow the usual instructions, but be aware they might need a little extra time to cook. This is because they have a bit less water content than usual. But that’s all part of the beauty of nature’s variety!
FAQ
Are these oats safe to eat?
Of course they are! They just may require slightly different cooking times.
Are these oats gluten-free and food allergy-friendly still?
Yes! These oats are still grown in a purity protocol manner and processed in our dedicated gluten-free facility that’s also free from the top allergens.
Want to learn more about our oats? Visit this link to learn more about what makes our Purity Protocol Gluten-Free Double Protein Oats special!
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.
It`s important that food manufacturers use good manufacturing processes and allergy protocols to keep your food safe! Better yet, look for facilities that are free from your allergen. ZEGO is made in a facility that is free from the top 14 allergens and corn. We know that even a crumb counts!
#FoodAllergy #FoodAllergyAwareness #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek
May 14
Do you know the top 9 foods most likely to cause a food allergic reaction? 💬
#FoodAllergy #FoodAllergyAwareness #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek
May 12
Different vibes, same great product.
Double Protein Organic Oats, online or at a store near you.
May 8
Did you know that our founder Colleen was diagnosed with #celiacdisease when she was a teen? Because of her experience with her own malnutrition, she was inspired to make sure everyone has the right to safe, healthy, nutritious food.
May 7
Did you know how common food allergies are?
Here are some FACTS from FAACT!
**Food allergies affect as many as 32 million Americans, including 26 million adults and 5.6 million children.
**Approximately 7.6% of children and 10.8% of adults here in the US have food allergies.
**Food allergies are more prevalent in children than in adults, but many affected children can "outgrow" food allergies with age.
**According to the CDC, the prevalence of food allergies in children increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011.
**Among children under 18, it is common enough that there are about 2 students with food allergies in every classroom!
#FoodAllergyAwareness #FoodAllergyAwarenessMonth
May 4
Did you know that May is both Celiac Disease Awareness Month and Food Allergy Awareness Month? ZEGO has always put the food allergy and celiac community first by providing a superior, delicious, nutritious line of products that are safe for people avoiding top allergens and gluten.
We spend every May spreading awareness for these conditions, sharing facts over fear.
We can`t wait to share more with you, so follow along on our social accounts for the month of May!
May 1
We’ve learned so much about FIBER this month, and we hope you have too! To round-up our month dedicated to fiber, we’re throwing a fiber-packed giveaway! Enter to win a case of our DOUBLE PROTEIN ORGANIC OATMEAL. Each serving of these high-quality raw gluten-free organic oats contains 5 grams of dietary fiber!
TO ENTER:
1. Like this post
2. Make sure you’re following us here on Instagram
3. Comment with your favorite way to eat oats
US residents only, 18+, not associated with Instagram. We will only reach out via this account if you are the winner.
Apr 30
On April 29–30, 300+ farmers, investors, researchers, retailers, and supply chain leaders will convene at Brooklyn’s Newlab for two days of panels, workshops, and community building around the future of regenerative food systems at Regenerative NYC, by Why Regenerative.
We`re a proud sponsor of Why Regenerative and have our Regenerative Organic Oatmeal on their online Regenerative Market!
At Regenerative NYC, the sessions span everything from soil carbon verification and agroforestry market-building to regenerative dairy transitions and farmland investing — with speakers from Whole Foods, Thrive Market, Bel Brands, ROA, Textile Exchange, Eileen Fisher, Fresh Direct, Builders Vision, the Rockefeller Foundation, Niman Ranch, Mad Ag, and more.
Don`t miss breakfast, you`ll have a chance to try our ZEGO oats! We`re catering the breakfast each morning.
Apr 29
Is there such thing as too much fiber?
While we recently highlighted how great fiber is, and how most adults in the US need to be eating more of it – can there be too much of a good thing?
YES! Especially when you add too much fiber to your diet too quickly. This can cause gas, bloating, and and other GI side effects, like diarrhea. And if you add too much fiber with not enough water, there`s even a risk of intestinal blockages.
That`s why we say start low and go slow to introduce more fiber into your diet. Have a question about fiber? Ask your dietitian!
Source: Time Magazine, "What fibermaxxing gets wrong about fiber."
Apr 28
✨ Add, Don`t Restrict: How to Boost Fiber ✨
Start your day off with a bowl of oatmeal, and boost the fiber by adding fresh fruit and seeds. Add some carrots to your mid-day snack. Add in some kale in your next sauté. Think about all the places you can ADD FIBER, not subtract it, from your existing meal plans.
Apr 27
Celebrate #EarthDay this week at Lassen`s locations across the Los Angeles area, Santa Barbara, and Bakersfield! We`ll be on promotion, and you`ll find us handing out oatmeal sample packets at select locations this week!
Find a Lassen`s near you!
🌎 Wilshire La Brea
🌎 Echo Park
🌎 Los Feliz
🌎 Simi Valley
🌎 Lancaster
🌎 Oxnard
🌎 Ventura
🌎 Santa Barbara
🌎 Santa Maria
🌎 San Luis Obispo
🌎 Bakersfield
Apr 20
Today is #WorldIBSDay and we`re celebrating with a big bowl of gluten-free organic ZEGO oats. Oats contain fiber, which keeps the digestive tract in check. Dietary fiber helps things run smoothly…all the way through! If you have iBS, make sure you`re working with a great dietitian who can point you in the right direction when it comes to an IBS-friendly diet that can include oats!
Apr 19
You`ve heard that fiber is important, and that most Americans aren`t getting enough of it in their diet. But how can you really tell if you`re getting enough fiber? How can you read a nutrition facts panel to tell if you`re eating enough?
According to the FDA, the daily value of dietary fiber is 28 grams per day. Keep in mind that this is based on a 2,000 calorie diet and doesn`t take into account your calorie needs – so it might be slightly higher or lower.
A nutrition facts panel on any packaged product, like our oatmeal, will show you how many grams of fiber are in each serving and compare that agains the daily recommended value. For our oatmeal, each serving contains about 5 grams of dietary fiber, or about 14% of your daily recommended dose of fiber.
A bowl of our oatmeal is a great way to start your day with fiber and protein. Look for other whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts (depending on your dietary restrictions) to fill the rest of your fiber needs!
Learn how to read a nutrition facts panel and learn more about fiber from the FDA!
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/interactivenutritionfactslabel/dietary-fiber.cfm
Apr 17
It’s National Banana Day!
There’s nothing like the comforting aroma of banana muffins baking in your kitchen. These Gluten-Free Banana Oat Muffins are not just a tasty treat—they’re packed with fiber, protein, and essential nutrients to fuel your day.
Find this recipe and more on our website!
#NationalBananaDay #GlutenFreeRecipe #organicoats
Apr 15
Are we truly feeding our soil, or just feeding our plants? Learn more from the frontlines of farming on this Food Gossip short!
Apr 13
Swap your beige processed breakfast like white toast for some color! Add some muesli or superfood to a bowl of seeds and nuts and freshly cut fruit. Not only is this more appealing to your eyes (and your stomach), but you’ll increase your fiber too!
Apr 11
Did you know that April is National Organic Breakfast Month! This theme was started to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and to encourage all of us to start our mornings with wholesome, organic food options. Not only are our ZEGO oats certified organic, but they are purity verified. They`re tested for over 500 pesticide and herbicide residues and heavy metals. You know your oats are the purest they can be for the best way to start your morning!
#OrganicBreakfastMonth #CertifiedOrganic
Apr 7
Happy Easter! We hope your basket is filled with lots of yummy allergy-friendly treats.
If the Easter Bunny™️ 🐰 left you any extra carrots, you`ve got to try our Oat Carrot healthy cookies. Head to the blog to get the recipe!
Apr 5
What is Fiber?
Did you know that there are TWO types of fiber – soluble vs. insoluble.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water in your digestive tract, forming a gel that slows digestion. It helps to lower your cholesterol, reduces your risk of heart disease, and stabilizes blood sugar.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve, adding bulk to your stool to help it move through the digestive system.
Many foods contain both, and both are important for your overall health!
Reference: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983
Apr 3
Today is April 1st and it’s no joke that today we’re celebrating sourdough!
April 1st is National Sourdough Bread Day, and we’re all about that #glutenfree sourdough.
Did you know that you can use our oats to make sourdough starter? Our double protein oats are raw, which means that the active enzymes can start to ferment and make sourdough starter at a quicker rate than heat-treated oats. Make into a flour or use the oats themselves to make a starter, or to add to an existing gluten-free sourdough starter. Learn more on our blog!
Apr 1
