Gold Standard 100% Whey By Optimum Nutrition Review
If youve been in the weight-lifting and bodybuilding world, whey products are the name of the game when it comes to fueling your body with as much protein as possible between gym sessions.
And of those different products, one of the most well-known and highly acclaimed options is none other than Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard. Considered a top-seller on most platforms where whey is available , Optimum Nutrition whey has made a point of being, for many people, their go-to protein powder even despite the considerable number of different available shakes and brands available.
Yes, with rare exceptions, if youre thinking of a high-quality protein powder, most would suggest Optimum Nutrition.
But is that accurate?
In this review, were going to take a serious look at whats in Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey protein powder and see if its deserving of all the hubbub surrounding it.
Key Takeaways
In a Hurry? Here are the main points:
Final Thoughts: Is Gold Standard Whey Good For You
Gold Standard Whey is a high-quality source of protein that comes from milk. It is soy-free, gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, and Keto-friendly. The powder mixes well with liquids and has a great taste.
Gold Standard Whey is good for you because it provides your body with the nutrients it needs to build muscle, recover from exercise, and perform optimally.
If you are looking for a protein powder that is low in carbs, high in quality and tastes great, then Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey is a good option for you and the best in the range of ON protein powder products.
Platinum Hydrowhey is good because it is easy to digest, mixes well, and provides a high amount of protein per serving.
I hope you found this Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Protein Powder review helpful. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.
For more information on Optimum Nutrition go to optimumnutrition.com
About the author
Hi, Jessica Ling here. I’m currently a student at the University of California studying NUTRITION & DIETETICS.
To keep fit, I work out daily and start my day by going for a run each morning followed by a session of yoga. I do one session of resistance training to stay toned . You can learn more about me here.
Who Is This Is For & Best Way To Take
This protein supplement is for those bodybuilders, strength athletes, or any fitness folks looking for a high-quality protein powder able to assist with all their gains. What you will find is that this protein powder packs a protein punch while also giving you great flavors so you never grow bored with the taste. Those looking to elevate growth and recovery will benefit greatly from this protein supplement.
It is best to consume protein within a 15-60 minute after your workout. For this protein supplement, take one scoop of powder and mix with 6-8 fl. oz. of cold water, milk, or your desired beverage. Stir, shake, or blend for 30 seconds and enjoy!
Check out our list of the Best Protein Powders and see where Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder landed!
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Which Flavor Is Best
This product comes in more than 20 different flavors. The Double Rich Chocolate is the classic and most popular flavor. It tastes more like cocoa powder, which is one of the ingredients, but doesnt have a very rich chocolatey flavor like the name suggests. Its also not very sweet and has a slight bitter taste like that of dark chocolate. If you dont like super sweet shakes, youll like this one.
If mixed with water only, the taste is acceptable, but a little bit bland and unexciting. For a more flavorful shake, mix it with milk of your choice almond, soy, rice, etc. Most of the 5-star reviews that rave about the great taste actually use milk, not just plain water so keep that in mind.
Heres one of my favorite shake recipes:
- 1 cup almond milk .
- 1 tbsp peanut butter.
- 1 tbsp honey or another sweetener .
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon .
- 1 scoop protein powder .
If youd prefer a sweeter flavor, then go with Extreme Milk Chocolate.
The Vanilla Ice Cream flavor is quite sweet too. It tastes great with a fruity shake .
Mocha Cappuccino is another awesome flavor. Its the perfect choice to blend with a cup of hot coffee and a spoon of coconut oil for a super delicious and nutritious cup of coffee.
Taste Texture & Mixability
Hydrolyzed whey can often be quite bitter due to the protein purity. Masking this bitterness can be a challenge for manufacturers, but Optimum has done well. We tried both the Turbo Chocolate and Velocity Vanilla and didnt taste a hint of bitterness. We were especially surprised that we didnt notice it with the vanilla, however, it was a bit too sickly sweet for us. This is probably to try and mask this bitterness. The chocolate was great however and the flavor is pretty much identical to Optimums popular Gold Standard product.
MIXED IN MILK
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Please Use An Alternative Don’t Be Tricked
Just wanted to update you on the poor service from both Optimum Nutrition and their courier service. Basically, they use Evri, which is a very poor courier service. I ordered on the 14th, delivery was delayed by Evri and noted on 18th November. No update or delivery whatsoever. I email Optimum Nutrition on 22nd November asking for an update. They mention that basically the only thing they can do is open a postal investigation and it will take up to 7 working dates . I ask for a refund and they have refused until their investigation with their courier is completed, so basically, nothing happens, I didn’t receive anything and I have to wait to get my own money back. Please order from Myprotein or another store that is reliable and really gives great service. The only reason why I came here is that Myprotein were out of stock. These guys are just lads trying to run a poor business.
Date of experience:November 24, 2022
My Experience With On Gold Standard Whey
This is where the vast majority of this products virtues come out because the experience is fantastic.
The ingredients are exactly what youd expect from a protein powder, but the actual feelings and sensations of using it are anything but standard! Im not usually a huge fan of whey protein powders, but this product has legitimately been pleasant to use.
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Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder Highlights
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder is a great protein powder for post-workout muscle support and recovery. Packed with 24g of protein, Optimum Nutrition has loaded this product with great flavors so you never grow bored. With no banned substances and an honest label, you know you are getting a high-quality protein source able to tackle those goals no problem.
What you will find with this protein powder is 24g of protein matched by 3g of carbs, 1-1.5g of fat, and very little sugar. With over 5g of BCAAS, this ensures lean muscle is protected and that muscle growth does occur. It mixes well and tastes great with the option for many unique flavors.
The Final Verdict Should You Buy It
Ok, so when it comes to Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, I can say that it passes, but only for the person out there that doesnt mind a bit of dirt in their sundae. If you can get over the artificial sweeteners and flavorings and enjoy what ONs product has to offer, this is a pretty dependable, inexpensive, reliable, and very tasty whey protein powder that can help build lean muscle mass.
If, on the other hand, youre someone that wants a clean option with no junk, no extra sweeteners, and no artificial added to their product, I cant necessarily recommend this in good conscience.
All in all, while ONs Gold Standard is certainly good when compared to many of its competitors, I dont think it quite lives up to its namesake.
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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.
How Is The Quality Of The Protein Blend
In short, this is extremely high quality stuff especially for such a mainstream supplement.
Just take a look at exactly whats in it:
As you can see, it contains a blend of both whey concentrate and whey isolate however, the blend includes more whey isolate than concentrate.
Without going into too much detail about the differences between whey concentrate and whey isolate here, I will say that this particular blend is suitable for most people, and that the protein itself is of a high quality.
You will also notice that it does contain artificial sweeteners, such as Sucralose.
For most, this probably isnt a big deal but as far as being completely natural, it does lose a few points in that respect.
Quality Rating: 4/5
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Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard
Best Protein Powders in 2022Brand Manager for Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard? Register now
I’ve only had the chocolate, and I’m not normally a fan of chocolate protein, but this one is a decent. Tastes nice, mixes well and price is on point too
Purchasedin
Great tasting protein powder at a reasonable price, it’s a safe bet if your not sure would suits most people’s requirements for a high quality protein powder in today’s market.
Purchasedin at Australian Sports Nutritionfor $165.
Is Gold Standard Whey Lactose
No, there is some lactose in Gold Standard whey protein powder.
Whey protein powder is made from milk, so it contains lactose.
Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and other dairy products. Some people are intolerant to lactose and may experience gas, bloating, and diarrhea when they consume foods that contain lactose.
However, the amount of lactose in Gold Standard whey protein powder is very low and is unlikely to cause any symptoms in people who are intolerant to lactose.
In short Gold Standard, Whey products are naturally low in lactose.
Gold Standard 100% Whey and 100% Casein have the most lactose.
Gold Standard 100% Isolate is further filtered to remove lactose and is lower in lactose and higher in protein per serving compared to Gold Standard 100% Whey.
If you are lactose intolerant, Gold Standard 100% Isolate is recommended.
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What Our Reviewers Say About Optimum Nutrition Protein
Our community of reviewers give their take on Optimum Nutrition’s top-selling products in terms of effectiveness, taste, mixability, and how they help them nail their fitness and physique goals.
Optimum Nutrition has a long track record of producing stellar supplements that are effective, affordable, and popular with serious athletes and fitness fans. Honestly, everyone who has ever told someone they work at Bodybuilding.com has heard at least once, “Sure, I know you guys. That’s where I buy my Gold Standard whey.”
So how do these time-tested products stand up today? Here’s what our customers say about the three most popular Optimum protein products. They even shared some of their favorite not-so-secret recipes!
Is Gold Standard Whey Keto Friendly
Yes, Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder is Keto friendly.
Whey protein is a source of protein that comes from milk. Some people who follow the Keto diet may be concerned about whether or not Gold Standard protein powder is Keto-friendly.
The milk proteins whey and casein and egg proteins are some of the best low-carb and keto-friendly protein powders.
We can confirm that Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey is Keto-friendly.
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Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
This is ONs most popular product. Its main benefit is that is suitable for Post-Workout Muscle Support & Recovery
Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder is available in the following selection of flavors:
These are just a few of the more popular flavors. You can see the full list of flavors as well as supplement facts for Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein here.
Ingredients : Protein Blend , Natural and Artificial Flavor, Cocoa , Lecithin, Salt, Creamer , Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Caramel Color, Lactase.
Hear Our Expert’s Take
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder contains 24 grams of protein per scoop. It is a gluten-free product, made from a blend of whey protein isolate, concentrate, and peptides. This blend of whey isolate and concentrate is beneficial and cost-effective. Whey-based protein powders are also easily digested by most people and contain all the necessary amino acids for recovery.
However, this protein powder also contains additional filler ingredients like natural and artificial flavors, acesulfame potassium, lactase. Some flavors also include sucralose, or corn syrup solids. These fillers and artificial sweeteners are not necessary ingredients and diminish the quality of the product.
Optimum Nutritions protein powder is Informed Choice certified, so athletes can use it without worrying about testing positive for banned substances.
Though the price is reasonable, there are better quality products available without unnecessary ingredients like artificial flavors. As a Registered Dietitian, I would choose a different protein powder for my own needs, and when recommending to others.
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How Does It Taste
If you are at all familiar with protein shakes, you probably know that some of them are almost undrinkable.
Yup, some brands of protein which I wont publicly shame here have a distinctly chemical aftertaste, which makes the process of chugging them down pretty unpleasant
This isnt the case with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein.
Believe it or not, these shakes are extremely easily to drink.
They dont make you gag, and they dont leave you with a rancid aftertaste .
Now I dont want to overstate this: they dont taste like milkshakes.
But they are more than palatable to drink and if you are like me, you will actually start enjoying the taste.
This is especially true if you mix them with milk, but they even taste fine stirred or shaken with just water.
I have tried most of the flavors, but I personally love the Double Rich Chocolate Flavor most followed by the Milk Chocolate and Cookies & Cream flavors.
Taste Rating: 5/5
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.
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Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Benefits
There are many benefits that have been associated with taking Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard protein powder.
Some of these benefits include:
- Made from whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate depending on which product you choose and your requirements
- Proven to increase strength by 30% in six months while using Gold Standard whey protein powder as part of a weightlifting program.
- One of the main benefits of using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard protein powder is that it helps you recover from your workouts by providing your body with the nutrients it needs to repair and rebuild your muscles.
- Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard protein powder can help you build muscle. This is because whey protein is a very efficient source of protein for your body. Whey protein has been shown to be more effective than other sources of protein, such as casein, at building muscle.
- Another benefit of using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard protein powder is that it is very convenient. You can mix it with water or milk and drink it anywhere. You can also add it to smoothies or other recipes.
- It is also very affordable, especially when you compare it to other types of protein powders on the market.
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