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Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey is one of the most popular whey supplements in the world, used by athletes and fitness buffs for muscle gains, athletic performance, muscle recovery, in the US and many other countries.
There’s no questioning the fact that it is popular, but what is the reason for it?
Let us take a look at the top reasons why it is the preferred choice of many.
Contents
- 1 Unique Reasons Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is Best Among Equals
- 2 It Has Been Tried and Tested
- 3 Its Nutritional Content is of the Highest Quality
- 4 No Bad Side Effects
- 5 Easy to Mix and Good Taste
- 6 Takes Effect Quickly
- 7 Stimulates Muscle Growth With Gold Standard 100% Whey
- 8 Positive Feedback
- 9 Comparing Gold Standard Vs Other Top Whey Protein Powders
- 10 Vs BSN SYNTHA-6 Protein Powder
- 11 Vs Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder
- 12 Vs Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder Isolate
- 13 Vs Whey Protein Powder Isolate by BulkSupplements
- 14 Vs Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
- 15 Buying Options
- 16 Gold Standard Whey Protein Flavors
- 17 Chocolate Varieties
- 18 Milky Varieties
- 19 Fruit Flavored Varieties
- 20 How to Take Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey
- 21 Conclusion
- 22 Questions and Answers Section
- 23 Q: What does Gold Standard Whey protein do?
- 24 Q: Is Gold Standard Whey protein good for weight loss?
- 25 Q: What is the best flavor for Gold Standard Whey?
- 26 Q: Does Costco sell Gold Standard Whey?
Unique Reasons Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein is Best Among Equals
There is no question there are a lot of quality whey supplements you can buy today…
…but the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard stands out from the rest for many reasons, such as the following.
It Has Been Tried and Tested
Gold Standard is regarded as the best whey protein because it’s been tried and tested again and again.
The product underwent numerous tests before being released to the public, and it shows in the quality.
There are few if any whey supplements that have been as evaluated and proven to work as this.
A lot of whey protein supplements have gotten flak for failure to deliver on their promises. It is good to know Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard underwent thorough testing to ensure its quality.
As you will see in the comparison reviews below, the thoroughness which this has been tested shows its efficiency especially for lean muscle gains and muscle recovery.
Its Nutritional Content is of the Highest Quality
The Gold Standard 100% whey has excellent ingredients. A single scoop has 1 g of fat, 1 g of sugar, 3 g of carbs and 24 g of protein.
The distribution of these ingredients is just right for adding lean muscle mass, muscle recovery and naturally bulking up.
One of the things you’ll notice with this supplement is the short ingredient list. That’s a good thing because it shows there are no artificial ingredients in it.
Many whey supplements and strength boosters try to deceive buyers by creating a long list of ingredients, sometimes filled with artificial flavors.
If you read the nutritional label you’ll see a bunch of ingredients with unknown purposes.
But really those are just artificial flavors, fillers and dilute the ingredients to the point th8e effect is useless.
Don’t be fooled by whey supplements that have impressive sounding ingredients. A high quality protein supplement sticks to the basics.
Gold Standard doesn’t have any additives or artificial flavors that minimize the effect. It contains a powerful blend of whey peptides, whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolates.
It also contains lactase, aminogen, acesulfame potassium, lecithin and cocoa.
These have been carefully selected so they don’t have any adverse effect on the supplement’s efficiency. The way the proteins have been combined ensures you get maximum efficiency in terms of muscle growth results, strength and muscle recovery.
No Bad Side Effects
Most whey protein isolate have side effects such as bloating, gas and upset stomach. That is not the case with Gold Standard as it does not cause any of those.
Whey protein powder side effects are the result of poor preparation and low quality control, so the rigid process Gold Standard went through sets it apart.
If you have read reviews of other protein shakes or even tried them, you know that side effects are all too common.
This is the reason why many of these products don’t yield the kind of benefits that you’d expect and failed to enhance muscle recovery.
The rigorous testing that Gold Standard went through ensures this won’t be a problem and that you will not suffer the ill effects present in other whey protein drinks.
For a lot of people this is the part that separates a good whey protein from a bad one, and it’s one of the strengths of Gold Standard.
Easy to Mix and Good Taste
Optimum Nutrition Whey Gold Standard comes in several flavors including, strawberry banana, white chocolate, milk, mocha, cake batter, chocolate coconut, Delicious strawberry, chocolate malt, chocolate hazelnut, chocolate mint, Banana cream, chocolate peanut butter, cookies and cream and caramel toffee among others.
No matter what flavor you choose, you’re assured it tastes good, mix easily and won’t clump up the way most brands protein supplements do.
If you’ve been working out for a while and tried various protein shakes, you’ll know that protein flavors range from the excellent to the downright awful.
Some are too sweet, chalky, bland or just plain bad. Many are notorious for not mix easily, with clumps and bits left over.
Optimum Nutrition Whey does not suffer from those problems. There are a lot of flavors to choose from and that’s testament to its quality. We’ll take a look at those flavors later, but suffice to say there’s something for everyone.
Again, is worth repeating: Gold Standard also gets our nod for it mix easily and fine! A lot of these whey supplements, we have noted, are notorious for clumping.
With Gold you get a consistent texture that mix easily and delicious and nutritious. Since the supplement does not clump or leave bits, it’s easier to clean up.
For too long now, men and women have shied away from whey supplements because of the taste and miss opportunity to experience better ways to muscle recovery.
With Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey protein concentrate you can now have a potent whey supplement that’s also tasty, take your workout to higher, enjoy muscle recovery and train some more!
Takes Effect Quickly
The best whey protein for women and men add bulk quickly and muscle recovery is faster.
It doesn’t produce results overnight – no whey protein concentrate can – but the Gold Standard whey produces results at a faster rate.
After only a few uses you’re going to feel the difference.
All protein supplements claim to enhance muscle growth, athletic performance and muscle recovery. But few of them live up to the hype.
And even those that do take forever just to get the results you want.
The reason for this is many protein supplements just don’t provide the kind of nutrients they should. Without the proper nutrients you won’t see any increase in muscle growth even if you work out, talk-less muscle recovery.
Gold Standard on the other hand, delivers on its promise. The product is able to do this because of the ingredients and the unique formula it uses.
Stimulates Muscle Growth With Gold Standard 100% Whey
The best whey protein for building muscle should lead to muscle growth and it does.
Must enhance quality muscle recovery after exercises and it delivers!
This is possible because with its combination of whey protein, glutamine, glutamine acid and BCAAs, all of which combine to fast track protein synthesis, the process that speeds up muscle buildup, power and muscle recovery.
Protein supplements today offer all kinds of benefits such as speeding up muscle recovery, increased strength and more.
However what is all comes down to is how well it enhances muscle buildup.
Protein synthesis is your body’s natural way of enlarging muscles. However, the process takes time, and if your body doesn’t have the proper amount of nutrition you’ll have a hard time building up those muscles.
That is where Gold Standard comes in, because its ingredients are tailor made for muscle building, strength gain and muscle recovery.
With regular intake you’re going to see and feel improvements in your physique.
We need to stress something here. This whey supplement is meant to augment your workout routines and diet. You will not get any benefits by simply taking Gold powder.
By using this to boost your workout however, you’ll get more from the strength training. With other whey protein products the benefits are negligible.
Positive Feedback
Gold Standard whey review and feedback are often positive. It currently receives several 1000s of reviews on Amazon stores!
As was pointed out earlier, this is possible because of its quality ingredients and how quickly it works.
No matter what product you buy, reviews are important in determining how good it is. The positive feedback it has received makes the product worthy of its name in gold!
Add the fact that Gold Standard whey protein side effects are almost non existent and it’s no surprise that reviews are positive.
Any product can make any claim, but you’ll only get the real score by reading the feedback and customer reviews.
The good feedback is one of the reasons why we wanted to do this comparison review and see how well it stacks up with others.
| CLICK Here to Buy Gold Standard 100% Whey at Amazon |
Comparing Gold Standard Vs Other Top Whey Protein Powders
Protein powder reviews have been positive towards Gold Standard, but it’s not the only whey protein brand on the market.
In this section we’re going to compare it with other popular whey protein supplements and show why it is more effective.
There are a ton of whey supplements to choose from, especially for muscle recovery and mass gains.
But let’s limit our options to the most popular brands.
In preparing this comparison review, we decided to focus on the essentials.
We did not bother to repeat the information found on each product description, and instead we looked into how each feature and how it compares to Gold Standard.
We also looked into the various aspects like the flavor, how they mix easily, and so on.
Vs BSN SYNTHA-6 Protein Powder
It is a popular whey protein supplement and it makes a lot of claims about stimulating muscle recovery, mass gain and lean physique.
But is it really effective? Let’s take a look.
Protein Quality
Gold Standard has very high quality protein that stimulates muscle growth, protein synthesis and muscle recovery.
Syntha 6 offers decent protein, but the problem is their protein source comes with too much filler.
Of 47 g per serving, only 22 g are protein.
The other issue as you may have guessed, is the scoop size, as it’s way too big. That may not be a bad thing for some.
However if you’re already on a bulking diet you may end up with more calories than you need.
Packaging
We had to include this because it’s an issue with the Syntha 6 10 lb bag. Some reviewers have noted the bag is hard to zip. We have not seen this problem with the Gold.
Flavors
Syntha 6 do offer variety flavors like, Chocolate cake batter, Banana cream, Peanut butter cookie, Strawberry milkshake, Chocolate milkshake, Delicious strawberry, Cookies and cream, Vanilla ice cream.
Some of the flavors – like vanilla ice cream and chocolate milkshake – taste a bit bland.
They’re not awful by any means, but the taste and texture are inferior to Gold Standard. While some of the flavors are too bland, others are too strong, in particular strawberry.
Mixing
Gold Standard and Syntha 6 both say their products mix easily, it is true with Gold. Syntha 6 is thicker however and may take more time to mix.
Even if you mix Syntha 6 with water the consistency is still thick. We also notice that some flavors like cookies and cream, leave bits at the bottom of your drink.
Side Effects
Gold Standard does not have any side effects as long as you take it properly. Syntha 6 however, often causes bloating.
Results
Does Syntha 6 lead to muscle growth, strength and muscle recovery? Yes it does, but not at the same rate as Gold Standard.
Comparing the two, Syntha 6 takes muscle longer to yield muscle gains, and muscle recovery too!
Results are dependent on several factors, but even with regular exercise you’re not going to get the same results as you do with Gold.
Maybe the fact the product have artificial flavors and fillers as they dilute the quality. This also means you may not going to see lot of improvement in protein synthesis.
Verdict
Gold Standard whey protein concentrate formula is the better product. Syntha 6 is good, but it has several shortcomings and doesn’t quite deliver on the stuff it promises. In terms of flavor, protein quality and muscle recovery results, Gold Standard is way better.
Vs Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder
But how does it size up with Isopure?
Aside from being a whey protein supplement, it also aims to boost muscle recovery and manage your weight.
But is Isopure as good as claimed?
Protein Quality
Protein quality is decent but not up to par with the Gold.
Another issue is the serving is to large. Sizable amounts of protein is ideal for bulking up, but too much isn’t good either.
Therefore it is not surprising that a lot of people cut the serving in half. You can do that but it’s a hassle.
The protein serving is just about the same, but Gold Standard produces faster results when it comes to building up real hard muscles mass and muscle recovery after workouts.
Packaging
Packaging for the Gold Standard and Isopure are both good, easy to seal and the nutritional info easy to read.
However, one customer said Isopure arrived with the seal damaged. By and large however, packaging for both products are all right.
Mixing
Isopure takes longer to mix and it doesn’t dissolve or mix easily as Gold.
With some flavors you’re going to see some bits left.
Even when thoroughly mixed, some of the flavors like Dutch Chocolate have this chalky taste. Many of the flavors also have this flat taste that you may not like.
Flavors
Isopure has fewer flavors than Gold: Chocolate, Strawberries and cream, Banana cream, Apple melon, Creamy vanilla, Delicious strawberry, Toasted coconut, etc.
In fairness the flavors aren’t that bad, but the taste and texture better than most brands!
It isn’t what you would call tasty and is not as delicious as Gold. Its milk flavor has also been known to cause some stomach problems.
If you don’t mind the bland taste this won’t be an issue. If you’re particular about taste then you will prefer Gold.
Side Effects
Gold Standard whey 5lb and other sizes are all tested and proven to be safe from side effects.
Isopure however, has gotten complaints from customers who say that it causes bloating and upset stomach. Not everyone who uses Isopure feel the side effect, but it happens often enough for you take notice.
Results
Isopure is a good whey protein supplement and you’ll notice improvements in your physique and muscle recovery.
Compared to Gold however, you’ll need to wait longer before you see those muscles and mass build up. Even if you engage in the same workout intensity it’s going to take longer for results with Isopure.
Verdict
The bottom line is Isopure is good, but Gold is way better!
You’ll get some pretty decent results, but the unappealing flavors and the side effects make this impractical.
Yes it can speed up protein synthesis, muscle recovery and mass size, but you’ll get better results with Gold Standard.
Vs Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder Isolate
It is labeled as a muscle enhancer, protein synthesis booster and muscle recovery.
Those are the same claims that Gold Standard makes, so which is better?
Protein Quality
The protein and other ingredients are good, but it’s not as effective as Gold when it comes to performance.
Dymatize is still good but you’ll need to put in a bit more in your diet and workouts to get good results, especially muscle recovery.
That said, it’s not too far off Gold Standard.
Packaging
This seems to be a serious problem with Dymatize.
More than a few customers have reported bugs in the container. This has been reported with the vanilla and chocolate flavor, but these could be isolated cases.
Even if we dismiss these however, there seems to be other problems, in particular the lid.
The container is filled to the brim so if you’re not careful the content spill out. In contrast, Gold Standard’s content doesn’t spill.
Mixing
Dymatize mix easily as well as Gold Standard.
The powder texture is mostly good and it doesn’t leave chunks or clumps. The end result is you get a fine, smooth mix.
While the consistency is good, it’s a little too fine.
Some of the flavors also affect the mix, with some having a grainy, sugary texture. Another thing we have noticed is that some mixes end up a bit foamy.
Flavors
Dymatize offers a nice of flavors to choose from: Chocolate peanut butter, Smooth banana, Chocolate coconut, Gourmet vanilla, Delicious strawberry, Chocolate cake batter, Banana cream, Peanut butter etc.
The selection is as wide as Gold Standard, but the quality of the flavors leave something to be desired though as it varies. Some of the flavors are good but others have this weird chemical taste.
The chocolate flavor is nowhere near as good as the variants for the Gold Standard.
While Dymatize chocolate is good, it doesn’t really taste like chocolate and is too sweet.
Side Effects
Dymatize doesn’t have any major side effects but it’s not ideal for the lactose intolerant.
If you still want to take it you’ll need a probiotic. This isn’t a problem with Gold Standard as it is 100% free of side effects.
Results
Dymatize produces good results and is comparable to Gold Standard in proteins per serving. Many users report seeing hard muscled mass gains and muscle recovery.
It has a longer ingredient list but that doesn’t mean it’s better.
Based on the ingredients and protein source, Gold is more effective and produces better results at a faster rate.
Verdict
Gold Standard is one of the best whey protein for weight loss as it burns fat. However it also builds up your muscles so you bulk up while it promotes muscle recovery.
Dymatize can do that too but it’s not as efficient. Add the fact that it is faster to mix Gold Standard and it’s easy to see why a lot of people prefer it.
Vs Whey Protein Powder Isolate by BulkSupplements
The product description says it’s great for adding bulk and muscle recovery, but how does it stack up with the Gold Standard?
Protein Quality
Protein quality is really good. Like Gold Standard Whey there are no artificial flavors, no fillers.
Texture is good but it does not have the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that Gold Standard has.
This doesn’t mean it’s not as potent though.
Packaging
The packaging for Whey Isolate is usually all right. You can easily open it and the content doesn’t spill out.
There are a few cases wherein the foil patches become difficult to close. This can be a problem if you frequently open and close the package.
Mixing
If you mix Whey Isolate with other flavors you’ll hardly be able to distinguish it as the added flavor takes over.
It mix easily and mostly smooth, but unlike the Gold Standard, the Whey Isolate powder cakes up on occasion. Other than that it mixes without any problems.
Flavors
The flavorless option may work for some, but for most the taste is awful. For a lot of people the taste is really off putting they need to mix it with chocolate or something else.
As we have pointed out, Gold Standard has several rich flavors to choose from.
The idea behind the flavorless option is a sound one…
…by removing the additives the whey protein remains pure. However, it is very difficult if not impossible to drink.
You can add it to another product to make it palatable, but that’s additional expense. And as Gold Standard has shown, flavors don’t dilute the effect.
Side Effects
Whey Protein Isolate doesn’t cause bloating or upset stomach as long as you don’t overdose. However the unappealing taste might cause stomach upset for some.
Results
Whey Isolate and Gold Standard both make the same claims for real muscle recovery, helping skinny man t=get bigger mass and size. But Gold Standard provides a lot of more benefits.
While Whey Isolate does have good protein, it doesn’t have the same amount of vitamins and other micro nutrients.
We also need to point out the Gold Standard is suited for both advanced users and beginners. Whey isolate however, is more for beginners as its nutrients are not as potent.
Verdict
Gold Standard whey nutrition facts have shown that it really works. After a thorough review we can also say that it’s better.
We are not just about the taste but also the muscle building and muscle recovery. All things considered it’s easy to give the edge to the Gold.
Vs Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
It also contains fiber and other nutrients just like Gold Standard, but is it as good?
We did a thorough review and this is what we found out.
Protein Quality
There is a generous amount of protein, fiber, carbs and calories, but it’s unclear what the other ingredients are since the list seems incomplete.
That being said the protein is of decent quality and the powder doesn’t cake. It mix easily and smooth!
Packaging
Packaging is fine and comparable to Gold. There are no issues or problems here.
Mixing
Mixing is also straightforward with no clumping or bits left. Like I stated above, it mix easily and really smooth.
Flavors
See some here: Peanut butter, Vanilla bean, Chocolate peanut butter, Delicious strawberry, Banana cream, Cookies and cream, Peppermint hot chocolate etc
Gold Standard gives you a lot of options for those who like their flavors sweet or mild. The problem with Orgain is the flavors are too sweet.
The directions say add two scoops and mix with 8 oz of water, and that just makes the taste overpowering. The vanilla flavor in particular seems a bit off.
Side Effects
Orgain does not have any major side effects apart from the usual gas, bloating and upset stomach if you take too much.
Results
Orgain is a good whey supplement and work just fine. Like other whey supplements you’ll need to back this up with a good workout and diet. Even so you’re not going to get the kind of mass and size and muscle recovery you’d get with Gold Standard.
Verdict
Orgain should be able to deliver the goods if taken long enough. As a lot of customers have noted, many of the flavors are too sweet and have a rather artificial taste to them.
That doesn’t mean they’re fake, only the taste doesn’t seem natural. Given the more agreeable taste of Gold, it’s the better choice.
The bottom line is the Optimum Nutrition whey isolate is better than any of the products mentioned there. This can be attributed to its high quality formula that delivers on its promises of added power and strength.
Buying Options
If you want to find out the latest on whey protein price, you can go online and look up Gold Standard Whey Costco, GNC or Walmart.
However, the best option is still Gold Standard Whey at Amazon since it is a reputable company.
You are assured that the produce is genuine, plus the price tag is reasonable.
It can be tempting to buy in other online stores that claim to sell at a very cheap price. But be wary of those may not be fresh.
Gold Standard Whey Protein Flavors
This whey protein supplement is available in the following, non artificial flavors.
Chocolate Varieties
- White Chocolate
- Mocha Cappuccino
- Extreme Milk Chocolate
- Double Rich Chocolate
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Chocolate Mint
- Chocolate Malt
- Chocolate Coconut
Milky Varieties
- Banana Cream
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Rocky Road
- Strawberry Milkshake
- French Vanilla Crème
- Delicious Strawberry
- Coffee
- Cookies & Cream
- Cinnamon Graham Cracker
- Caramel Toffee Fudge
- Cake Batter
Fruit Flavored Varieties
- Tropical Punch
- Strawberry Banana
Everything starts with the flavor you choose.
That’s a matter of personal preference, but here are some tips.
- Coffee, Caramel Toffee Fudge and Rich Chocolate are ideal for mixing with water. The rich and fruity flavors are the best with water.
- All the flavors work and mix easily with milk.
- Sweetness: do you like your whey protein supplement not too sweet? Try Tropical Punch, Mocha Cappuccino, Chocolate Mint, Banana cream, French Vanilla Creme and Coffee. If you want your protein supplement sweet, try Double Rich Chocolate Cooking/Baking/Bars, Rocky Road, Delicious strawberry, Cake Butter or Extreme Milk Chocolate.
- Stick with vanilla if you’re going to mix and match flavors.
With so many flavors to choose from, it should not be difficult to find one that suits your taste buds.
How to Take Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey
There is no need to bother searching for special method to mixing Gold Standard, as the process is very easy. Just mix one scoop with 8 oz of water. Mix easily, and drink.
No artificial flavors. Drink half an hour before or after workouts.
Do not take more than what is recommended as it could produce side effects.
Conclusion
Gold Standard whey nutrition facts have shown that it is really effective and delivers the goods.
If you have tried a number of number of whey supplements and they haven’t lived up to your expectations, now is a good time to try the Gold Standard as it really works.
Questions and Answers Section
Q: What does Gold Standard Whey protein do?
Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein is one of the leading whey protein supplements available on the market.
It is known as the Gold Standard whey because it provides everything needed for lean muscle development.
Everything including whey peptides, whey protein concentrate, and whey protein isolate.
These ingredients, especially whey protein concentrate and whey peptides (and others) are the ones that make it a gold standard/ benchmark that other products need to match to be considered good enough.
Every scoop of this product provides 24 grams of blended protein, 5 grams of branched chain amino acids, and 4 grams of glutamine.
These brilliant ingredients provide what is needed for speedy lean muscle development. They also help improve strength.
The supplement works best when taken in the morning and after exercise.
Q: Is Gold Standard Whey protein good for weight loss?
If you are taking this protein itself to lose weight, you will not get the results you want.
This is because it is not formulated to directly help you lose weight. However, that said, it can help you to lose weight indirectly.
This is because it will help you to build lean muscle mass and it will also give you energy when you take it because it has BCAAs.
Improving lean muscle mass and energy can both help you to train harder and longer in the gym resulting in you burning more calories and fat.
Of course, you can only lose weight if you also watch what you eat. Avoid fried foods, chips, and pizza for maximum weight loss while training hard in the gym.
Q: What is the best flavor for Gold Standard Whey?
The Extreme Milk Chocolate is regarded as the best flavor on the market by many. However, there are 20 flavors to choose from.
It is largely agreed that most of the flavors are pretty natural and tasty. So you are more likely than not to find one that is absolutely perfect for your taste buds.
Double Rich Chocolate, Extreme Milk Chocolate, Mocha Cappucino, Delicious strawberry, French Vanilla Crème, and Cookies & Crème are but some of the flavors that you can try.
Q: Does Costco sell Gold Standard Whey?
Yes, it does. Gold standard whey costco is popular.
I mean Costco sells original ON Gold Standard Whey that arrives in three to five business days. However, Amazon.com is the best place to buy it from.
The e-commerce giant usually ships products faster and often has offers that can help you save money. Offers including a 5% discount if you ask for auto deliveries.
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