Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Nutrition Facts
One rounded scoop delivers 24 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram of fat. Various independent tests have shown that it may be closer to 21 or 22 grams of protein per serving, a difference that’s actually pretty negligible in the supplement world — ON is considered a company that has a good track record with third party testers.
ON Gold Standard Whey Ingredients
For something so popular and so inexpensive, the ingredients list is surprisingly short. Let’s look at the Double Rich Chocolate flavor’s ingredients list: first there’s a protein blend of whey protein isolates, concentrate, and peptides; then cocoa, lecithin, natural and artificial flavors, acesulfame potassium, Aminogen, and Lactase. 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. Concentrate is the cheapest form of whey and while it has less protein and more fat per gram than isolate and peptides, it contains more ingredients with potential health benefits like CLA and phosopholipids. Whey peptides are pricier but also more broken down — some call it “pre-digested” — so they absorb quickly.
Gold Standard Whey Benefits and Effectiveness
Many of the benefits associated with this product simply come from the fact that it contains whey, which is a high quality protein that contains Branch Chain Amino Acids and other non-essential amino acids like glutamine. I’d have trouble calling this a “benefit” since that’s just what whey is.
One scoop delivers 24 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of sugar, and 1 gram of fat, making this a solid choice for folks on low-carb diets or low-fat diets.
The Aminogen and Lactase should help to improve digestion, but besides that, there’s not a lot else in this product: it’s several kinds of whey and some enzymes to help you make the most of it.
Mixability
It mixes well with both water and milk, likely due to the lecithin, which helps to improve mixability. I typically shake up my protein in a mason jar, but even if you’re just stirring with a spoon, it dissolves nicely into the fluid — just make sure you’re stirring fast!
ON 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 (that’s chocolate and marshmallow flavor).
