Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Nutrition Facts
Lets start with the basics. One rounded scoop delivers 24 grams of protein, three grams of carbohydrates, one gram of sugar, and one gram of fat. Various independent tests have shown that it may be closer to 21 or 22 grams of protein per serving, a difference thats actually pretty negligible in the supplement world Optimum Nutrition has a good track record with third-party testers.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Review
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard is currently the worlds bestselling whey protein powder, with over 17,500 reviews on Amazon alone. Each scoop provides you with 24 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates, 1.5 g of fat, and 120 calories, together with over 4 grams of Glutamine & Glutamic Acid, and 5 grams of BCAAs .
So what makes it so special, and how do you know if its the best protein powder to include in your current meal plan?
In this review well compare O.N. Gold Standard 100% Whey to two other top-rated protein powders Isopure Whey Protein Isolate, and BSN SYTHNA-6. This includes the price, flavors, ingredients, cost per serving, protein blend, and customer feedback, to guarantee you only buy the protein that best supports your fitness goals.
Unfortunately Gold Standard Whey doesnt include any Creatine or pre-workout energy boost . Thats why we also added recommendations for the best way to include O.N. Gold Standard as part of a complete supplement stack that helps to build lean muscle, maximize strength in the gym, and decrease recovery time post-workout.
An Overview On Whey Protein Concentrates
Protein is important to life. Each of the bodys cells contains protein, and you may not be consuming enough of this important substance from your daily meals. Your daily protein intake will vary based on factors such as your body composition, age, weight and exercise levels.
If you find that you arent getting the recommended dose of protein through your diet, you can add a whey protein supplement to your daily regimen. While there are other protein sources, whey is preferable, thanks to its ability to digest quickly while being easy on the stomach.
When researching whey protein concentrate, first look to see that the product contains 100% whey with most of the whey coming from whey isolates. There are three types of whey , and the isolates contain the most protein. Youll even find some whey protein powders are made using a nice blend with the majority of the protein coming from the isolates.
Check that the ingredients dont interfere with your diet or known allergies. For example, Opportuniteas Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate is best for those who need a gluten-free, GMO-free, soy-free and artificial ingredient-free formula. Its also cold-processed, which eliminates contamination from chemicals and toxins that some individuals may have a negative reaction to.
Read Also: How To Calculate How Much Protein I Need
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Ingredients
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey is the worlds number one bestselling protein powder, with over 14,000 highly rated reviews on Amazon alone.
So what is it that makes Gold Standard Whey so special?
Its a combination of factors, including the macronutrient balance, extensive range of flavors, high quality protein combination, and affordable price tag. Lets start with the macronutrients.
The 24 grams of protein per serving is more than you get with Optimum Nutrition Protein Energy and Performance Whey . In fact, aside from their high-calorie weight gain protein powders , Platinum Hydrowhey is the only Optimum Nutrition protein powder to offer more protein per serving .
Carbohydrate and fat levels are kept low thanks to the blend of whey protein isolates, whey protein concentrates, and whey peptides. This is the same combination of proteins that MuscleTech used to create their Platinum 100% Whey protein powder, which has a similar macronutrient profile of 24 g protein, 4 g carbs, and 1.5 g fat per serving.
So O.N. Platinum Hydrowhey has more protein, and MuscleTech Platinum Whey has less carbs. Why should you buy Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey?
One reason is price. At the time of writing this review, each serving of the MuscleTech protein powder cost $0.85, based on the 918 g tub. Platinum Hydrowhey was more expensive still, at $1.24 per serving, based on the 1,560 g tub. In comparison, a serving of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey cost $0.78.
EAAs
On Gold Standard Product Summary
- Whey Protein Isolate Main Ingredient
- Whey Protein Microfractions from Whey Protein Isolates & Ultra-Filtered Whey Protein Concentrate
- Over 4 Grams of Glutamine & Glutamic Acid in Each Serving
- More Than 5 Grams of the Naturally Occurring Branched Chain Amino Acids Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine in Each Serving
Recommended Reading: Best Vegan Protein Bars 2021
How Does Gold Standard Whey Protein Work
Does the science back up this multi-whey protein blend?
To find out, I took a closer look at some core ingredients found in the Double Rich Chocolate Gold Standard Whey Protein.
Heres what I discovered.
- Whey Protein Isolate : WPI is up to 95% pure making it the blends primary source of protein. Low fat, low carb, and virtually lactose-free, it has been specially processed and refined to make it fast-acting and easy to digest. This 14-day study shows how WPI accelerated the recovery rates of 14 participants. Isometric knee extension strength was also found to be significantly higher after taking WPI.
- Whey Protein Concentrate : WPC has around 70-80% protein and contains more fat and lactose than WPI. This 21-week study measured the cross-sectional muscle of 31 participants. The men were split into three groups and asked to undergo resistance training. At the end of the study, the group consuming whey protein was found to have increased leg muscle mass compared to that of the individuals in the placebo and control groups.
- Whey Peptides: Peptides are broken down more than other whey variants. This is done to hasten the absorption of protein by the body . This 3-day study took 12 men and tested their recovery rate. Each participant was given a whey supplement containing 25g of protein. The study found that the men taking whey hydrolysate post-exercise recovered faster.
And for those pro athletes, youll be happy to hear that Gold Standard is banned substance tested.
We Decide If This Hugely Popular Whey Is Worth The Hype
We receive free products and receive commissions through our links. See disclosures page.
Of all the protein powders on the market, Optimum Nutritions Gold Standard whey protein may be the best-known and most widely consumed. Its the number one seller on Bodybuilding.com and Amazon, but we were curious is this really a great product, or is it just the most popular? Does it deserve its spot as the default whey protein powder used by millions?
We decided to take a harder look at the crowd favorite and found that its well priced, has great macronutrients, and scores highly for label accuracy three qualities that rarely intersect in the whey protein industry.
The market’s most popular whey lives up to its reputation as a solid all-rounder with a huge variety of flavors to choose from. It includes 24 grams of protein in each round scoop and mixes well with milk or water.
Editors note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended to diagnose, prevent, and/or treat health problems. Its always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
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What Is Gold Standard Whey Protein
The Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein powder is a post-workout nutritional supplement to unlock your full gains and potential.
Not only does it speed-up recovery after a sweaty gym session, but it also gets your macros in faster.
Sold in 90+ countries, its owned and manufactured by Optimum Nutrition Inc.
Optimum Nutrition has been involved in the sports nutrition industry since 1986.
Thats more than 30 years of experience!
So, its no wonder it dominates Amazons bestseller list.
Its available in over 20 different gluten-free flavors enough to satisfy any craving.
You can choose anything from Coffee and Chocolate Hazelnut to French Vanilla Crème and Strawberry Banana.
They even have an unflavored option.
Just add one scoop of the Gold Standard whey protein powder to 6 to 8 ounces of water, milk, or smoothie and shake, shake, shake.
In addition to a multitude of flavors, there are several size options too.
These include:
- 141-149 Servings
Prices start anywhere from $9.99 to $119.99 depending on which weight and flavor combination you opt for.
Each serving promises to deliver 24g of fast-digesting protein, to pick up the slack where slow-acting whole foods fall short.
But thats not all!
One scoop of this post-workout powder has an impressive 5.5g of naturally occurring Branch Chain Amino Acids to aid muscle recovery.
It also contains 4g of Glutamine and Glutamic amino acids to help boost gut function, immunity, and overall nutrition.
And its low carb too.
Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Price
In an average supplement store, ON whey protein tubs vary from two to five pounds. The latter offers 73 servings for $58. Thats 79 cents per serving or ¢3.31 per gram of protein. If you buy a standard two-pound tub, its $30 for 29 servings. Thats $1.03 per serving or ¢4.31 per gram of protein.
Thats pretty inexpensive for whey. Here are some comparisons to other whey proteins on the market:
- Dymatize Elite ¢6.24 per gram of protein, five-pound tub
Read Also: Gluten And Dairy Free Protein Bars
My Experience Using Gold Standard Whey Protein
After using Gold Standard for over two weeks now, I can understand what some of the buzz is about.
As directed, I took the protein shake after my workouts and Ive already started to notice some results.
- I recover faster from my workouts
- The extra protein is helping me make some nice gains
- Im looking leaner and more toned
And the Double Rich Chocolate flavor I tried tasted pretty good.
There was no weird after taste and it didnt leave me heavy or bloated after consumption.
It satisfied my sweet tooth too. I follow a pretty low carb diet, so this gave me a satisfying treat post workout.
It also mixed well with both water and milk. Although its no surprise that the water/powder combo was a little bland and lackluster compared to milk.
I did find that the product was quite difficult to get hold of.
At the time of writing this, Gold Standard is completely sold out on Amazon US. This means your best bet is to order direct from the ON store.
Gold Standard Whey Benefits And Effectiveness
As mentioned above, the blend of three kinds of whey helps make this a very well-rounded product. Contrary to popular belief, theres no one best kind of whey. They each come with their own benefits, and mixing them all was a smart move by ON. Many of the benefits of this product come from the fact that it contains whey, a high-quality protein containing Branch Chain Amino Acids , and other non-essential amino acid glutamine.
The macros make this a solid choice for folks on low-carb diets or low-fat diets. Aminogen and Lactase should improve digestion, but besides that, theres not a lot else in this product. Its several kinds of whey and some enzymes to help you make the most of it.
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Should You Buy Gold Standard Whey Protein
While I was happy with ON Gold Standard, I wouldnt say its the best protein powder out there.
For a whey protein powder, its great.
But it doesnt contain Casein.
Whey protein hydrolysates, like those found in Gold Standard, are great at allowing you to process protein in record time. But good sports nutrition is all about balance.
Casein, another form of protein, is digested much slower by your body. By combining both fast and slow absorbing protein, you get a more consistent result.
For this reason, I recommend Tri-Protein by Crazy Nutrition.
It delivers everything Gold Standard promises plus much, much more.
This includes an incredible 6 different types of protein which are released over three separate phases. Helping fuel your body consistently over a 24-hour period.
On Gold Standard Whey Ingredients
For something so popular and so inexpensive, the ingredients list is surprisingly short. Here is the Double Rich Chocolate flavors ingredients list:
So what does all that mean? Of these three kinds of whey, whey protein isolate has the highest percentage of protein, though the process to make it reduces a lot of its other ingredients that can promote overall health and immunity, like peptides.
The concentrate is the cheapest form of whey. While it has less protein and more fat per gram than isolate and peptides, it contains more ingredients with potential health benefits like conjugated linoleic acid a potential weight loss aid and phospholipids. Whey peptides are pricier but also more broken down some call it pre-digested so they absorb quickly. Each form of whey has its own benefits and drawbacks, so combining them all is a smart tactic.
Regarding the other ingredients, lecithin is used to improve mixability. Aminogen is a blend of enzymes that help digest the protein and reduce gas, and Lactase should make lactose easier to digest. The acesulfame potassium is a sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar thats controversial in some circles but appears to have no negative effects at low levels.
Read Also: Sascha Fitness Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Optimum Nutrition Whey Taste
Optimum Nutrition sells some twenty different flavors, and they know their chocolate. The line includes Double Rich Chocolate, Extreme Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Malt, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Coconut, White Chocolate, and Rocky Road .
We purchased the most normal-sounding chocolate: Double Rich Chocolate. Despite the double in the title, its tasty without being overwhelmingly sweet or intensely flavored. Its closer to a dark chocolate taste than milk chocolate. If youre after a sweeter, creamier, more intense chocolate, you might prefer the equally popular Extreme Milk Chocolate flavor.
Some flavors from ON are nice as a one-off but easy to get sick of after a few shakes . Double Rich Chocolate is ONs standard, basic chocolate. Its reliable and mild enough that it wont overwhelm the palate, and consumers probably wont get tired of it. Note that the flipside of this low intensity chocolate is that its very, very bland when mixed with water.
What Flavors And Sizes Are Available
With a serving size of 30 grams, each tub provides you with 74 servings. Following a recommendation of 2 servings per day, this should be enough to last 37 days.
At the time of writing our review, each serving was priced at $0.78. We think this is reasonable, given the protein content and level of BCAAs. But if your big concern is value for money, you might want to check out MET-Rx Natural Whey.
The MET-Rx protein powder has just 1 gram of protein less per serving, but more BCAAs for a lower price .
Flavors
Save money with Amazon
If youre looking to save money on your monthly protein powder order, you might want to consider the Amazon Subscribe & Save program.
allows you to unlock savings of up to 15% on a wide range of supplements, including O.N. Gold Standard 100% Whey .
You can save 5% with a subscription to 1 product, or save the full 15% by subscribing to 5 products, provided theyre all delivered to the same address. The delivery schedule can be set from monthly, up to once every 6 months.
Although 5 products might sound a lot, if you already supplement with a protein powder, multivitamin, creatine, BCAA, and glutamine, the savings can soon add up.
Recommended Reading: Whey Protein To Lower Cholesterol
Other User Submitted Calorie Info Matching: Gold Standard Whey Protein
*gold Standard Whey Protein Shake1201g3g24g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Gold Standard Whey Protein1201g3g24g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein, 1 Scoop10g0g0g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Gold Standard Whey Protein1182g5g21g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder1201g3g24g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Gold Standard Whey Protein1201g3g24g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder1201g3g24g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Gold Standard Whey Protein, Chocolate Flavored1201g3g24g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
Gold Standard Whey Protein Shake – Extreme Milk Chocolate1302g4g24g
- Vitamin A 0.0 %
What Are People Saying About Gold Standard Whey Protein
Heres what some regular users of Gold Standard had to say.
Alex thinks the taste is great. It doesnt leave him bloated like other protein powders.
Kyle gives the protein shake an impressive 5/5 for taste, mixability, and value.
Ashley loves the sucralose-free Double Rich Chocolate flavor, stating that its by far the best, most effective protein powder theyve tried to date.
Not all reviews I found were positive though. Cristian was disappointed and claimed the new formula didnt agree with him.
Despite a few grumbles, the overall customer rating of Gold Standard is high.
Especially when you consider the huge volume of reviews on Amazon alone.
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Who Are Optimum Nutrition
With over 30 years in the sports nutrition industry, Optimum Nutrition currently produces some of the bestselling sports nutrition products in the world. These have been designed to improve your strength and recovery, health and wellness, and help increase your protein intake, such as their Gold Standard 100% Whey.
To find out more about their protein powders, bars, ready to drinks, BCAAs, glutamine, pre-workout supplements, creatine, multivitamins, and weight loss products, we recommend our Optimum Nutrition buying guide. This includes a summary of the health benefits you can expect from each product, which sizes and flavors are available, and dosages for the top ingredients.
Weve also added in-depth reviews and comparisons with other top rated nutrition companies, to guarantee you only buy the best supplement for your fitness goals.