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Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Review

Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard whey protein may be the most well-known and most popular whey protein powder on the market. Although it is the best-selling product on Bodybuilding.com and Amazon, we were intrigued is this a truly fantastic product, or is it simply the most popular? Is it deserving of its position as the go-to whey protein powder for millions?

We decided to dig more into the community favourite and discovered that it is reasonably priced, has excellent macronutrients, and has a good label accuracy rating three characteristics that rarely overlap in the whey protein sector.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Nutritional information

Let us begin with the fundamentals. One rounded scoop contains 24g protein, 3g carbs, 1g sugar, and 1g fat. Numerous independent tests indicate that the serving size may be closer to 21 or 22 grams of protein, a variation that is actually quite minor in the supplement market. Optimum Nutrition has a solid reputation with independent third-party tests.

Ingredients for Gold Standard Whey Protein

The ingredients list is shockingly low for something so popular and inexpensive. The following is a list of the components in the French Vanilla flavour:

Ingredients: Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolates, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Peptides), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Lecithin, Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Aminogen, Sucralose, Lactase.

Gold Standard Whey Ingredients French Vanilla
Gold standard 100% whey french vanilla creme nutrional facts

What does this all mean? Whey protein isolate contains the most protein of the three types, yet the manufacturing process removes many of the components that enhance overall health and immunity, such as peptides.

Concentrate is the least expensive type of whey. While it has less protein and more fat per gram than isolates and peptides, it does contain additional substances with potential health benefits, such as conjugated linoleic acid CLA, a possible weight reduction aid, and phospholipids. Whey peptides are more expensive, but they are also more broken down (also known as pre-digested), which means they absorb more quickly. Each type of whey has distinct advantages and disadvantages, therefore combining them all is a wise strategy.

Lecithin is utilised to improve the mixability of the other ingredients. Aminogen is a combination of enzymes that aid in protein digestion and gas reduction, while Lactase should aid in lactose digestion. Acesulfame potassium is a sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is controversial in some areas, but appears to have no adverse effects at low concentrations.

The Benefits and Effectiveness of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey


As indicated previously, the combination of three types of whey contributes to this product’s overall balance. Contrary to common opinion, there is no such thing as the best whey. They each have their own advantages, and Optimum Nutrition made a wise choice by combining them all. The fact that this product comprises whey, a high-quality protein that contains Branch Chain Amino Acids BCAA’s and the non-essential amino acid glutamine, accounts for many of its benefits.

The macronutrient profile makes this an excellent alternative for those following low-carb or low-fat diets. Aminogen and Lactase should aid in digestion, but this supplement has little more. It’s a combination of many types of whey plus enzymes to help you get the most out of it.

Price of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein


On average, a tub of ON whey protein weighs between two and five pounds in a supplement store. The latter is $99 for 74 servings. This works out to $1.33 per serving. It’s $59.95 for 28 servings if you get a standard two pound tub. That works out to $2.14 per serving.

That is quite reasonable for whey. Consider the following comparisons to different whey proteins available on the market:

  • Muscltech Nitrotech Whey Gold – $1.24 per serving 5.5lb tub
  • Dragon Whey – $1.99 per serving 5lb tub
  • Elite 100% Whey by Dymatize – $1.50 per serving 5lb tub
  • Muscle Pharm 100% Whey – $1.21 per serving 5lb tub

Gold Standard Whey Mixability


ON’s Gold Standard whey protein mixes nicely with both water and milk, which is likely owing to the lecithin. It rattles well in a shaker or when stirred quickly with a spoon, and dissolves easily.

Gold Standard Whey Protein Taste

Optimum Nutrition gold standard whey offers over 16 distinct flavours:

  • BANANA
  • COOKIES & CREAM
  • CHOCOLATE COCONUT
  • CHOCOLATE MALT
  • CHOCOLATE MINT
  • CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER
  • COFFEE
  • DOUBLE RICH CHOCOLATE
  • EXTREME MILK CHOCOLATE
  • FRENCH VANILLA CRÈME
  • MOCHA CAPPUCINO
  • SALTED CARAMEL
  • STRAWBERRY BANANA
  • STRAWBERRY
  • VANILLA ICE CREAM
  • WHITE CHOCOLATE

We chose the most conventionally named chocolate: Extreme milk chocolate. Despite the “extreme” in the title, it’s delicious without being excessively sweet or flavorful. It tastes more like black chocolate than milk chocolate. If you’re looking for a sweeter, creamier, more intense chocolate flavour, you may prefer the equally popular double rich chocolate.

Certain tastes from Optimum Nutrition are enjoyable as a one-off but quickly grow tiresome after a few shakes e.g., white chocolate. Optimum Nutrition’s normal, basic chocolate is Double Rich Chocolate. It’s dependable and mild enough to avoid overwhelming the palate, and consumers are unlikely to grow tired of it. Notably, the downside to this “low strength” chocolate is that it tastes extremely bland when combined with water.

Conclusion

Optimum Nutrition delivers on its promise of a simple, trustworthy Gold Standard whey protein powder. It’s not only dependable, it’s also affordable and delicious. It’s difficult to criticise Optimum Nutrition’s product. If there is an industry gold standard, this one may well be it.

Gold Standard Whey FAQ

  • What flavour's does Gold Standard Whey have?

    • BANANA
    • COOKIES & CREAM
    • CHOCOLATE COCONUT
    • CHOCOLATE MALT
    • CHOCOLATE MINT
    • CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER
    • COFFEE
    • DOUBLE RICH CHOCOLATE
    • EXTREME MILK CHOCOLATE
    • FRENCH VANILLA CRÈME
    • MOCHA CAPPUCINO
    • SALTED CARAMEL
    • STRAWBERRY BANANA
    • STRAWBERRY
    • VANILLA ICE CREAM
    • WHITE CHOCOLATE

  • What ingredients are used in Gold Standard Whey?

    Ingredients: Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolates, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Peptides), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Lecithin, Salt, Acesulfame Potassium, Aminogen, Sucralose, Lactase.

    Gold Standard Whey Ingredients French Vanilla

  • Does Gold Standard Whey protein have sugar in it?

    Gold Standard Whey protein has little added sugar only 2g

    Gold Standard Whey

  • Does Gold Standard Whey protein have steroids?

    Most definetely not, Gold Standard Whey protein contains no anabolic steriods of any sort.

    Gold Standard Whey 10Lb

  • What is the primary source of protein in Gold Standard Whey protein

    The primary protein source is whey Isolate. 24g whey protein blend consisting of whey isolate, whey protein concentrate, and whey peptides/hydrolysates.

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  • Is Gold Standard Whey protein good for diabetics?

    Yes, various scientific studies have demonstrated the benefits of Gold Standard Whey protein, particularly for diabetics. The proteins in Gold Standard Whey contribute to the maintenance of steady blood glucose levels, which benefits both diabetics and those looking to improve their body composition.

    Is Gold Standard Whey Protein Good For Diabetics? Blood Glucose Reading