simply tera's FAQ
PACKAGING:
Q: why does the package I received say "new look" instead of "grass fed"?
A: when we changed from "tera's whey" to "simply tera's", we put an emphasis on our new sustainable packaging, and called out the "new look" in a bubble on the front of the package. now that we have been in the market for 12 months, the graphics are no longer "new" so we have removed the "new look" callout and replaced it with "grass fed". simply tera's organic and pure whey protein have always been grass-fed, the formula has not changed, we are just calling it out more boldly on the front of the package.
given we still have some of the "new look" canisters in inventory, you may receive that fresh product instead of the packaging with "grass fed", however it's the same formula, both are made with grass-fed dairy from pasture-raised cows.
Q: why did we move to plastic packaging?
A: our prior package was a foil-lined paperboard canister with metal bottom and plastic lid. this package was not fully recyclable and didn't meet our sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions. with the change from tera's whey to simply tera's, we selected a package made with recycled plastic materials (PCR) and recycled paper materials. now the entire package is recyclable - canister, scoop, lid, inner liner and label! simply place the entire cannister in your home recycling bin and it will be used to make new recycled products.
PRODUCT COMPARISON CHART:
Q: what are the differences between the product lines?
ORGANIC
Q: what does organic mean?
A: organic products by definition are hormone free and follow a regimented set of guidelines overseen by certifying agencies like MOSA (our certifying agency). our organic line starts with all organic ingredients and the final product is retested to double ensure a certified organic product. this line of products is also grass-fed and rBGH-free.
Q: is the certified organic whey protein from grass-fed cows?
A: yes. our certified USDA Organic whey protein is locally sourced from small family farms in the mid-western United States. our cows are pasture-raised for as long as the grazing season allows and eat only organic, non-GMO grass and forage. these cows are ethically-raised and never treated with growth hormones (rBGH and rBST) or antibiotics.
Q: is the certified organic whey protein free of artificial hormones (rBGH/rBST)?
A: yes.
Q: is the certified organic whey protein Non-GMO?
SIMPLY PURE / PURE
Q: what does simply pure mean?
A: our simply pure line is guaranteed to be free of the bovine growth hormone (or is rBGH and rBST-free).
Q: did you change the name of the simply pure to pure?
A: yes when we rebranded from tera's whey to simply tera's, we changed the name of simply pure to pure.
Q: does simply tera's pure whey protein come from grass-fed cows?
A: yes, our pure whey comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows.
ORGANIC VS PURE
Q: what is the difference between the organic and the pure products?
A: both of these products are rBGH-free but not all of our hormone free products are organic. what this means is our pure line is guaranteed to be free of the bovine growth hormone rBGH. our organic line is also hormone free but in addition, follow a regimented set of organic guidelines overseen by a certifying agency MOSA.
the reason for the two products lines is our products labeled “organic” are sourced from organic dairy farms. it is more expensive to be organic and that is why we created a non-organic (pure) line of products if consumers are looking for a less expensive option. the pure line is still a very clean label from grass fed, pasture-raised and hormone free dairy, but does not follow the same MOSA organic certifications.
LACTOSE FREE ORGANIC
Q: what does organic mean?
A: organic products by definition are hormone free and follow a regimented set of guidelines overseen by certifying agencies like MOSA (our certifying agency). our organic line starts with all organic ingredients and the final product is retested to double ensure a certified organic product. this line of products is also grass-fed and rBGH-free.
Q: is the certified organic whey protein from grass-fed cows?
A: yes. our certified USDA Organic whey protein is locally sourced from small family farms in the mid-western United States. our cows are pasture-raised for as long as the grazing season allows and eat only organic, non-GMO grass and forage. these cows are ethically-raised and never treated with growth hormones (rBGH and rBST) or antibiotics.
Q: is the certified organic whey protein free of artificial hormones (rBGH/rBST)?
A: yes.
Q: is the certified organic whey protein Non-GMO?
A: yes.
Q: is there zero lactose in simply tera’s lactose free whey?
A: whey is a by-product of the cheese-making process. whey is isolated from the solution left after the cheese curds are formed. depending on how the cheese is made, only small amounts of lactose remain with the whey solution. those solutions are then filtered to further reduce the lactose content. finally, simply tera’s lactose-free whey protein contains a small amount of lactase enzyme, to ensure that even the smallest amount of lactose in the whey protein does not cause digestive problems.
Q: how does the lactase enzyme break down lactose?
A: enzymes are small proteins that are key to most bodily processes, including digestion. enzymes speed up natural reactions in your body by binding to what they act on, such as a sugar, and helping a reaction to occur much faster than it otherwise would have.
lactase is an enzyme that binds to lactose to speed up its breakdown into the component sugars galactose and glucose. lactose will very slowly break down on its own but can cause digestive issues in humans in its natural form. lactase speeds up the reaction so that the lactose breaks down before it can cause digestive issues.
Q: what is the difference between lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy?
A: lactose is a type of sugar that is most commonly found in dairy products (from mammals, including cows, goats, sheep, etc.). many people lack the gene needed to digest this sugar, so it causes digestive upset. consuming reduced lactose or lactose free dairy products can help manage the issue.
cow’s milk allergy is an intolerance for certain proteins in cow’s milk. the allergy can cause hives or stomach upset, and severe allergies are rare but do occur. consumption of milk sourced from a different mammalian species can often alleviate the symptoms, as the protein composition varies widely in milk from different mammals.
goat milk has been found to be particularly useful in managing cow’s milk allergy symptoms. The symptoms of lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy are often similar (digestive issues) so consult your physician.
Q: can I bake with lactose free organic whey?
A: yes, you can bake with lactose free whey however you may find that your baked goods don’t brown as well as with regular whey protein.
Q. for people with dairy sensitivities, is there a difference in digestibility between goat whey and lactose free whey?
A: it depends. while cow whey and goat whey are very similar, there are some small differences that may result in digestibility issues for some people. the particular issue depends on the individual. the fat in goat whey tends to be a little easier to digest than that in cow whey, however, goat whey also contains higher levels of short-chain fatty acids which can cause short-term digestive upset in some people. long term, goat whey can help improve gut health, but there may be short term digestibility issues. both products are excellent sources of protein, but for people with a cow’s milk allergy, goat whey is the better choice.
Q: what is the difference between whey protein concentrate with lactase enzyme vs. whey protein isolate?
A: whey is a by-product of the cheese-making process. whey is isolated from the solution left after the cheese curds are formed. depending on how the cheese is made, only small amounts of lactose remain with the whey solution.
whey protein concentrate may contain added lactase enzyme to ensure that even the trace amounts of lactose do not cause digestive issues. whey protein isolate is whey protein concentrate that is subjected to a further purification treatment that eliminates effectively all remaining lactose and minerals. only pure whey protein is left in the final powder.
ORGANIC VS LACTOSE FREE ORGANIC
Q: does lactose free organic whey contain all the same nutrients as regular organic whey?
A: the process of removing lactose by adding natural lactase enzyme may reduce some minor amounts of minerals along with the lactose. the protein profile is unchanged.
Q: does organic lactose free whey have the same consistency and texture as organic whey when mixed with water or lactose free milk?
A: whey is a by-product of the cheese-making process. whey is isolated from the solution left after the cheese curds are formed. depending on how the cheese is made, only small amounts of lactose remain with the whey solution. even when the whey solution is not further treated or filtered prior to the isolation of the protein as a powder, there is very little lactose in the powder.
LACTOSE FREE ORGANIC vs. GOAT
Q. for people with dairy sensitivities, is there a difference in digestibility between goat whey and lactose free whey?
A: it depends. while cow whey and goat whey are very similar, there are some small differences that may result in digestibility issues for some people. the particular issue depends on the individual. the fat in goat whey tends to be a little easier to digest than that in cow whey, however, goat whey also contains higher levels of short-chain fatty acids which can cause short-term digestive upset in some people. long term, goat whey can help improve gut health, but there may be short term digestibility issues. both products are excellent sources of protein, but for people with a cow’s milk allergy, goat whey is the better choice.
GOAT
Q: is the goat whey protein organic?
A: no, it’s not organic due to the lack of accessibility of organic goat farms in our region.
Q: are the goats hormone free (rBGH/rBST)?
A: yes.
Q: are the goats grass fed?
A: they are mainly pasture grazed, with grain supplemented during their milking season.
Q: what are the benefits of goat whey?
A: goat whey contains protein from goat milk, which has a chemical composition similar to human milk. this composition makes it more tolerable for individuals who may have lactose or dairy sensitivities*, while offering similar nutritional benefits of cow whey protein. *if you have severe dairy sensitivities, please contact your physician before consumption.
Q: does goat whey contain any lactose?
A: the whey making process for goat whey is like that for cow whey, so there may small amounts of lactose after purification. however, goat whey consumption can improve gut health which can mitigate some digestion issues.
AMINO ACID PROFILES
Q: what are the amino acid profiles for your products?
A: the amino acid profiles for all our products can be found here
PROCESSING
Q: how do you process your whey?
A: the milk used to produce our whey is sourced from local family owned dairy farms here in Wisconsin. per USDA requirements, the whey is pasteurized by the cheese makers and undergoes the cheese making process, which is how we get our liquid whey. all of simply tera's whey proteins are un- (or non-) denatured using ultrafiltration. this concentrated protein is then sent to a spray dryer to dry, and becomes the whey powder that is used in our simply tera's products. our process has been designed to provide the least amount of protein degradation.
Q: is your whey cold pressed/non-denatured?
A: yes.
Q: is the whey protein raw or pasteurized?
A: per the FDA, whey protein concentrate must be derived from milk that is pasteurized, however, it is pasteurized at the lowest temperature possible.
CERTIFICATIONS + INGREDIENTS
Q: is your whey protein a concentrate or an isolate?
A: our products are made with whey protein concentrate.
Q: are all of your products MSG-free?
A: yes.
Q: do your products contain casein?
A: our products do not contain casein.
Q: do any of your products contain soy?
A: no.
Q: are all of your products Kosher?
A: yes, certified by the OK Kosher Certification Organization.
Q: are all of your products gluten-free?
A: yes, all of our simply tera's branded protein powders are gluten free certified and contain no grain products or derivatives. all of our products are tested for gluten by an independent third party, along with internal testing. our products are processed in plant that may handle other products that contain gluten. to ensure the quality of our products, we test our finished products for the presence of gluten at an outside, accredited laboratory.
Q: what is stevia?
A: stevia is extracted from the plant stevia rebaudiana, which grows naturally in Brazil and Paraguay. some types of stevia can leave a bitter after taste. we specifically selected an Organic Stevia Leaf Extract for its delicacy and ability to complement our ingredients. teaspoon for teaspoon, organic stevia is sweeter than granulated sugar. as a result, we can use small amounts of organic stevia leaf extract to naturally sweeten and produce low calorie and low glycemic products.
Q: are all of your products sweetened with stevia?
A: no, we have an unsweetened or plain product in every product line for those looking for proteins without stevia: organic plain unsweetened whey, pure plain unsweetened whey and plain unsweetened goat whey.
Q: does your whey contain lactose?
A: any kind of whey protein, including simply tera's will retain trace amounts of lactose. in our experience, some people having minor lactose sensitivities do not have the same sensitivities to our products. for those who cannot consume any lactose, we have lactose free organic whey, in which the lactase enzyme has been added to the whey to break down any remaining lactose.
PRODUCT USES
Q: can I bake with it? mix it in coffee or other hot beverages?
A: yes. you can bake with protein, mix it in hot chocolate or coffee, without worrying about losing any nutritional value of the protein itself.
Q: if i’m pregnant, can i consume your products?
A: we have not had any conflicts with pregnant women consuming our products. however, we do recommend that you speak with your health care provider prior to taking any supplement during pregnancy.
Q: can I use your protein powder as a meal replacement?
A: because our protein powders are low-calorie, we would not suggest using them as a meal replacement. we recommend incorporating this product into your meal or using it as a healthy, filling snack. check out our recipe page for some ideas!
QUALITY
Q: are there heavy metals in your products?
A: no, we typically do not have any detectable amounts of heavy metals in our products. as a quality control safeguard, we test our products on a quarterly basis with a third party independent lab.
Q: how do you test your products?
A: we test our products on a quarterly basis with a third party independent lab, as well as testing our products in-house on a batch-per-batch basis.
Q: does the company have standards for humane raising expectations of these farms?
A: the dairy cows and goats that we source our milk from are raised on small family dairy farms in mid-western United States, in accordance with specific dairy production practices. these animals have access to open pastures, sufficient space, shelter, gentle handling, fresh water and a healthy diet without artificial hormones or antibiotics.
INTERNATIONAL SALES
Q: are your products available outside of the United States?
A: no, at this time, we only distribute and ship products throughout the United States.
Q: if you don’t ship internationally, how can I purchase your products?
A: you can purchase our products through some of our online retailers: Amazon, iHerb, Lucky Vitamin, Pharmaca, Thrive Market, Vitacost,