I first got into experimenting with Supplements about 20 years ago. At this time, there was basically one well-known Protein Powder. This was the top-selling Protein Powder everywhere and occasionally the only Protein powder you could find at some stores. Please allow me to introduce non-other than Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein. So I would like to give you my honest Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Review based on my experience.
Fast forward to today, and this same Protein Powder is the top-selling of all supplements for the largest supplement company in the world called bodybuilding.com. This Protein is also the number 1 selling for the largest e-commerce company in the world, Amazon.
I used this Protein for about my first five years before trying anything else. Nowadays, there is way more competition with so many different Protein Powders.
So how does Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard hold up against all these different companies? Please read on, and I will show you in my review!
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ABOUT OPTIMUM NUTRITION
Optimum Nutrition, Inc. (ON) is part of the Glanbia global nutrition group. They have been setting the Gold Standard in sports nutrition for more than 30 years. Since starting in 1986, they have really raised the bar by maintaining the highest quality and standards. Optimum Nutrition is headquartered in Middlesbrough, the UK, where they manufacture every single product category.
One of the reasons I really love this company is because they focus more on quality than marketing. Optimum Nutrition carefully selects the most premium raw materials before any machine is turned on in its manufacturing facilities. Even Their Creatine is 99.9%, unlike many on the market. I wrote an article about creatine you can check out Creatine Pros and Cons btw if you are interested.
They require a Certificate of Analysis for every ingredient. They have always been pretty plain with marketing if you look at their products, unlike most companies with tons of graphs and charts. In this case, this is a great example of a good product that sells itself!
Optimum Nutrition’s products are available across the globe.
When it comes to protein powders, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is one of the best. It contains 24 grams of high-quality whey protein, which is perfect for helping you reach your fitness goals. The powder is also instant for easy mixing, and it comes in a variety of delicious flavors, so you can find one that fits your taste preferences.
Plus, Gold Standard Whey Protein is backed by a quality guarantee, so you can be sure you’re getting a product you can trust. If you’re looking for a great-tasting, high-quality protein powder, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is definitely a good option to consider.
NUTRITION FACTS AND INGREDIENTS
One Scoop, which is considered 1 serving, is what we will go off of. Since there are so many different flavor options and a few different size options, things can vary. However, they don’t vary by much and are pretty much the same. So in this example, I will use a popular flavor and the one I used. Extreme Milk Chocolate!
NUTRITION FACTS
- 24 grams of Protein
- 1 gram of Sugar
- 1 gram of Fiber
- 3 grams of Carbohydrates
- 1.5 grams of total fat (.5 is Saturated)
- 100 milligrams of Sodium
- 40 milligrams of Cholesterol
- 140 milligrams of Calcium
- 220 milligrams of Potassium
- 7 milligrams of Iron
INGREDIENTS
Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Cultured Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Peptides), Cocoa Powder (Processed With Alkali), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Lecithin, Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Di-Potassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Tocopherols), Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Lactase.
CONTAINS: Milk and Soy
Let me explain what some of the ingredients are that you most likely don’t recognize
The Protein Blend:
- Whey Isolate– Generally more expensive and has lower total carbohydrates. It also has lower lactose content. It’s a better choice for those who are lactose intolerant. On average, 90% protein by weight. Whey protein isolate is better quality than concentrate.
- Cultured Whey Concentrate-
- Whey Peptides- Are made from Whey and are over 65 percent better at retaining nitrogen than regular Whey. This helps protein to be absorbed faster. The faster protein is absorbed in the body, the more it promotes protein synthesis, AKA muscle growth!
Whey Isolate and Whey Concentrate undergo different processing, which results in the Isolate containing more protein with fewer carbs and fat per serving. The nutritional differences are small. Small enough where there is no strong support for the different effects of these two types of Whey Protein.
WHAT THE INGREDIENTS MEAN
Cocoa Powder: This is an unsweetened chocolate product that adds deep chocolate flavor to desserts and beverages.
Lecithin: This is added in to delay spoiling and extend shelf life. It also helps as a blending agent to make it easier for artificial sweeteners and flavorings to mix well together.
Di-Potassium Phosphate- This is a water-soluble salt and an awesome source of potassium.
Tricalcium Phosphate – Is added to protein powder to prevent it from caking when liquid is added. Multiple studies of tricalcium phosphate have shown it to be safe for both human and animal consumption.
Tocopherols- This is a form of Vitamin E.
Acesulfame Potassium – An artificial sweetener that is calorie-free and around 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Sucralose- Sucralose is a zero-calorie sweetener that contributes sweetness to foods and beverages without adding calories or carbohydrates
Lactase- This enzyme helps your body digest lactose, the sugar found in all dairy products.
OPTIMUM NUTRITION DOES HAVE A 100% WHEY ISOLATE.
THE PRICE
You have three options when it comes to price. There is a 2, 5, and 10LB option with this Whey Protein Powder. The 2LB option at the time of writing this costs $29.99. The 5LB option costs $59.99, and the 10LB option costs $115.99. So as you can see, the bigger size you buy, the cheaper per pound it gets.
- 2LB = $14.99 Per Pound
- 5LB = $11.99 Per Pound
- 10LB = $11.59 Per Pound
So is this good? Is this bad? Is this pretty Average? Well, let’s take a look at three other top sellers on the market. In these examples, we will use the 5LB option because this is by far the most popular and basically the one you will see people buy.
OPTIMUM NUTRITION at $11.99 Per pound and has 24 grams of protein per serving with 74 servings in the 5LB size. That is 1776 total grams of Protein. $59.99/1776=3.37 cents per gram of protein.
Top Competitors-
- Pro Jym: 5.27 cents per gram of protein.
- BSN Syntha-: 4.63 cents per gram of protein.
- MusclePharm Combat: 3.36 cents per gram of protein.
As you can see, Optimum Nutrition is well worth the price compared to some other Protein Powders. Something to keep in mind, though. The other top competitors may have more Isolate, which is why they are a little higher. Although at just over 3 cents per gram of protein, you can see why Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein is the top-selling supplement in the WORLD!
OPTIMUM NUTRITION GOLD STANDARD FLAVORS
Optimum nutrition gold standard is one of the most popular supplements on the market, and for a good reason – it’s incredibly effective for helping you build muscle and lose weight. But with so many different brands and flavors available, it can be tough to decide which one to buy.
If you’re looking for a quality whey protein supplement that tastes great, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is a great option. With more than 20 different flavors available, there’s sure to be one that suits your taste buds. Some of the most popular options include banana cream, chocolate coconut, chocolate peanut butter, coffee, cookies and cream, delicious strawberry, double-rich chocolate, vanilla ice cream, extreme milk chocolate, and more.
If you’re looking for a great-tasting protein powder with a variety of flavors to choose from, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is a great option. It’s also affordable, making it a great value for your money – you won’t be disappointed!
TASTE AND MIXABILITY
I drank Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard for close to 4 years, pretty much non-stop. I absolutely loved the taste of the 2 or 3 different flavors I tried. My recommendation is you mix it with Unsweetened Almond milk. I usually ordered the Extreme Milk Chocolate or basic Strawberry. However, you have SO many more options. This is another reason Optimum Nutrition is the top-selling supplement.
With over 20 different Flavor options, here are a few examples. Mocha Cappuccino, Banana Creme, Chocolate Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coffee, Cookies and Creme, Vanilla Ice Cream, Rocky Road, and White Chocolate. My recommendation is definitely the Extreme Milk Chocolate!
Mixability is fantastic! I’ve mixed it in a blender, a protein shaker, and even just stirred it in a cup.
MY RATING OF OPTIMUM NUTRITION
HOW OPTIMUM NUTRITION HELPS WITH MUSCLE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
Whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate are both high-quality protein sources that are rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs play an important role in muscle protein synthesis, and research has shown that whey protein is more effective than other protein sources at stimulating MPS.
One study found that whey protein increased MPS by about 25 percent after a workout. Another study found that whey protein increased MPS by up to 68 percent after a workout.
Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey is a great choice for anyone looking to increase their muscle protein synthesis. It contains 24 grams of premium whey protein per serving, as well as 5.5 grams of BCAAs and 4 grams of glutamine and precursors. Glutamine helps to prevent muscle breakdown and supports immune function.
Gold Standard 100% Whey is also low in carbs and fat, and it mixes easily with water or milk. It’s the perfect way to fuel your muscles after a workout or anytime you need an extra boost of protein.
FINAL WORD
You will not be disappointed. I cannot recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard enough. The price is about as low as you will find verse any other competitors. You have many more options, if not more options, than any competitor of flavors. Sugar, Fat, and Carbohydrates are all very low, with a generous serving of Protein per scoop.
The three most important things I look for in a Whey Protein are Price, Quality, and Taste. With optimum nutrition gold standard, you are getting whey protein isolates to confirm the high quality.
A whey protein shake consumed right after a great workout will help you see some great gains in your muscles.
This Protein Powder exceeds my expectations. Protein supplements can help put on muscle but always try and get high protein foods included in your diet as well.
I hope you enjoyed my Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Review. Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if there is a product you are thinking about trying and would like me to write a review on other whey proteins.
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“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”
-Bruce Lee
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