10 reviews for Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, Double Rich Chocolate, 2 Pound (Packaging May Vary) Health & Household

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Carrie Carleton – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   What Flavor to Buy

   First off, I’ve purchased a bunch of different flavors of ON Gold Standard Whey. All of them have close to the same nutritional value, but they vary greatly in taste. Both my wife and I drink these protein shakes as part of our daily diet, and as a product, Optimum Nutrition is great. I’ve mixed with both milk and water, and all of the shakes mix well and don’t seem to clump. I’ve tried other manufactures whey, and I keep finding myself going back to ON for the price, nutritional value, and above all the taste.So the flavor question. As I mentioned, each flavor has a different characteristic from the others. Some are bland, some taste sweet, some taste overly fake. We loved some, and we hated some. Below is a list based on what we like so far and why. Bear in mind that I hate diet drinks for their bad aftertaste. The drinks don’t have to be sweet for me to like them, but I can’t stand the garbage aftertaste of fake sweeteners.The best flavors:Rocky Road – By far the single best tasting flavor. The downside is that it does taste a little sweet. The nutritional value is right on with the other flavors, but it is a bit sweet. I could drink this all day. If you only buy one flavor, this is it. There is no real aftertaste, and the flavor is great.Extreme Milk Chocolate – Another good flavor with almost no aftertaste. This one tastes like chocolate, and doesn’t have a fake taste to it. If you are looking at the chocolate flavors, this one is perfect.Natural Vanilla – This is a slightly different product, and it comes in a tub with yellow labeling instead of the red. It’s on Amazon for the same price, and it has the same nutritional values. They claim it has less artificial sweeteners in it, hence the natural label. In any case, this is the best vanilla out there. There is no aftertaste, and it tastes like vanilla milk. It is not as sweet as the others, but it the single best vanilla flavor I’ve found.The middle of the road flavors:Cookies and Cream – This one is both good and bad. If you like the creamy vanilla taste, you will like the flavor. It doesn’t have a bad aftertaste, but it is sort bland. It is sweet, but bland. Also, the cookie chunks in it don’t dissolve. This is the only flavor so far that has bits of stuff that you are swallowing when you drink it. It’s odd. That said, I have reordered it in the past.Chocolate Malt – It’s just OK. The flavor is a little odd because of the malt. Given the choice, just order the Extreme Milk Chocolate.Caramel Toffee Fudge – Again, just OK. They tried too hit to many flavors with this one, and it just turned out odd. Not a bad flavor, but don’t start out here. I got bored so I tried it. I doubt I’ll order it again.And the bad:Double Rich Chocolate – This flavor sucks. It tastes like fake chocolate. Not good fake chocolate, but generic fake chocolate. It has that bad aftertaste of fake sweetener, and is all around not good.Vanilla Ice Cream – Another swing and a miss. This flavor tastes like bad fake powdered milk. It has that bad aftertaste, and is probably the single worst flavor they have. If you are looking for vanilla, avoid this at all costs and get the Natural Vanilla.Tropical Punch – Another fake tasting flavor. When I got this, I could barely get through the first few shakes. Eventually it grew on me a little bit, and I was able to drink it without hating it. It tastes like strawberry milk with a bunch of fake sweetener. It’s just wrong, and is not something you want to drink after a workout.I know that taste varies from person to person, so take this with a grain of salt. I hate the taste of fake sweetener, so this list draws from that. I’ve taken to buying the 2lb tubs to try out a flavor, and then going with the 5lb tubs if I like it. It costs a bit more that way, but it means there is only 2lbs to choke down if you get a flavor that you hate.Enjoy!

   2,133 people found this helpful

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   HardbodyByAnthony – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   #1 product on the market!! the leader in this industry for a reason & by far!

   What’s up my Amazon Health & Fitness Family, it’s me your boy Hardbody. For those of you who have not read or seen any of my reviews, I am Certified Master Trainer for over 20 years & I have many certifications, one of which is a certification in supplementation, so because of my years of knowledge and dedication in helping people achieve healthier lives through exercise & nutrition, is the reason why I do these reviews… in hopes I can help someone, even if that is just one.• As you would guess, I use Whey Protein Isolate every single day (sometimes 2x’ per day) & this

   Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Banana Cream, 5 Pound

   is hands down the best Protein brand on planet earth. Because of that, unless I am offered to review/test a new brand, I ALWAYS buy this.• So you want to know why Whey Protein more specifically, Whey Isolate is extremely important, should you be using it &/or is this a good product? Well let me break this down a bit in hopes I can teach you something you may not have known and help you with your buying decision.————————————————————— Product Information: —————————————————————• Whey Isolate – it’s important to realize that not all forms of whey protein powder are created equally. Whey protein isolate is the most complete forms of protein because it contains the greatest protein concentration coming in at 90-95%, while the rest of the whey protein powders range from 25-89% total protein content. Isolate contains the lowest level of lactose, so perfect for anyone that is lactose intolerant. Benefits of Whey Protein include: helps support a healthy immune system, supports heart health, helps with maintaining a healthy body weight & composition, promotes muscle growth, loss of body fat, reduces the risk for breast cancer in women, helps control blood glucose levels & helps prevent muscle & bone loss older adults. Whey Protein, more specifically Whey Isolate is extremely important, for those reasons. Remember that protein is the building blocks of muscle. If you are dieting or looking to bulk up, Whey protein is your best friend because it provides your body with all of the amino acids it needs to promote ideal health results from workout/training, it’s low in calories, carbohydrates, fats, cholesterol & very convenient. The more protein you eat the more muscle & if you are dieting you will be able to keep more muscle.———————————————————————— PROS: ————–————————————————————• Glanbia is a global nutrition company with their own farms and supplies MANY protein companies, BUT OWNS Optimum Nutrition. So why buy from a secondary source when you can buy right direct from the #1 source & that my Amazon Family makes them the best for a reason!• This is Whey Protein Blend with Isolate being more abundant.• My favorite flavor is Banana Cream & taste unbelievably good.• I always make my shakes in a blender so mixability isn’t an issue for me but I assure you that even in just a shaker cup the mixablity is phenomenal, which leads me to my next pro..• This is absolutely 100% instantized!• Has Digestive Enzymes which is extremely important for me. I have been using this for many years now & never once has my stomach been all jerked up, so another thing i can assure you is true.• This is Ultra-Filtered & any top of the line Whey would make sure the Whey is carefully micro-filtered or Ultra-Filtered to remove any harmful bacteria. The Whey will pass through a special micro-filter & immediately after, bacteria & spores are separated. This process also separates any denatured (altered/cooked) whey proteins from undenatured proteins so that the result is a high quality whey protein rich in alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin (two special proteins found in whey that have immunological benefits) and low in fat. Un-denatured whey proteins obtained in this manner also have better solubility, which means it dissolves easily in any fluid added to it.• Optimum Nutrition list down the breakdown of their entire Amino Acid profile! That my Amazon Family is excellent!• This has approximately 28g of Amino Acids which if you did not know, is a pretty healthy amount. Many won’t list it because1) it is embarrassing low or2) They have something to hide.• Did I mention that this has approximately 5g of Glutamine. Many Whey Proteins do not add any.• I always buy the 5lb jug & the cost $57.99 is an exceptional price, in fact, many lessor Brands of Whey cost more!• Only 2g of sugar & 4g of carbs per scoop. Not sure where that sugar comes from because I read the “other ingredients” and don’t see it. Uses Sucralose, unless the sugar is coming from the “Natural flavor”.• 24g of protein per scoop which is more than most brands.• Has more flavors than ANY company on the planet, so you will never get bored!————————————————————— CONS: —————————————————————• NONE!!!!!!!—————————————————————-— Final Thoughts: ——————–———————————–————• So this is the ONLY protein brand I spend my hard earned money on & will ever! This is my honest & professional review & I was not given anything in return! I paid full price for this & worth every cent!I been buying this for many many many years.—————————————————————-— Personal Note: —————————————————————-—• Buying a respectable brand is actually extremely important because many companies are selling a container of Whey Protein Concentrate as isolate & unless you ran a analysis on it or really know your proteins, you probably wouldn’t even know you were using a cheap form of WPC until you started gaining body fat, started feeling bloated, getting gas, etc., and not getting the results you wanted from using this stuff. You would be surprised at how many companies do this! I 100% recommend

   Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Banana Cream, 5 Pound

   !!

   241 people found this helpful

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Henrique Camara – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   A Delicious and Effective Choice

   I recently purchased the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder in the Vanilla Ice Cream flavor, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. As someone who is dedicated to fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, finding a high-quality protein powder is essential, and this product certainly delivers.First and foremost, let’s talk about the taste. The Vanilla Ice Cream flavor is absolutely delicious – it’s smooth, creamy, and has just the right amount of sweetness. It’s like enjoying a tasty treat after every workout, which makes it a joy to incorporate into my daily routine.In terms of effectiveness, this protein powder is top-notch. Each serving provides 24 grams of protein, which is perfect for supporting muscle recovery and growth. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my recovery time since incorporating this product into my post-workout routine, and I feel stronger and more energized during my workouts as a result.Additionally, I appreciate the quality and reputation of Optimum Nutrition as a brand. Their Gold Standard Whey Protein is trusted by athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide, and for good reason – it’s a high-quality product that delivers real results.Overall, I highly recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder to anyone looking for a delicious and effective protein supplement. Whether you’re a serious athlete or simply looking to support your fitness goals, this product is sure to impress. Besides, it’s a great value for your money

   3 people found this helpful

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Rochelle A Yates – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   Great price!

   I was looking to buy this brand at Costco, but found if I bought different flavors, I could get it cheaper here on Amazon. I love coconut, so this was a no brainer. The coconut isn’t a super strong flavor (bummer) but it tastes great and gives me the protein I need.

   2 people found this helpful

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Jonathan – May 26, 2024

   4.0 out of 5 stars

   Easy to consume protein flavor

   Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder in Double Rich Chocolate is a game-changer in my fitness routine. As an avid gym-goer, finding the perfect protein supplement has been a quest, and Optimum Nutrition has truly delivered.The taste is phenomenal – the rich chocolate flavor is indulgent without being overly sweet, making it a delight to consume after every workout. Mixability is also top-notch; it effortlessly blends into water or milk without any clumps or residue, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable shake every time.Beyond taste and mixability, the nutritional profile is impressive. With 24 grams of high-quality protein per serving, it aids in muscle recovery and growth effectively. Plus, it’s low in carbs and fat, making it an ideal option for those watching their macros.One of the standout features of this product is its reliability and consistency. Each scoop provides the same quality and results, allowing me to trust Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard as a staple in my fitness regimen.Overall, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder in Double Rich Chocolate exceeds expectations in taste, mixability, and nutritional value. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a casual gym enthusiast, this protein powder is a must-have for achieving your fitness goals.

   10 people found this helpful

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Dillon – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   Great flavor

   I recently tried this Whey Protein Powder in the Rocky Road flavor, and I must say, it’s been a delightful surprise. Unlike other protein powders I’ve used in the past, this one really stands out for its flavor and mixability. It blends smoothly into both water and milk with minimal effort, which means no clumps or gritty residue that can make drinking a shake unpleasant.As someone who regularly exercises and looks for effective recovery options, I’ve found this protein powder to be extremely helpful in aiding muscle recovery. I usually consume it post-workout, and it noticeably helps reduce muscle soreness the next day. The Rocky Road flavor is rich and satisfying, making it something I actually look forward to having, rather than just a routine supplement intake.

   2 people found this helpful

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   David T. GnomeDavid T. Gnome – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   Gold Standard Whey Protein: A Flavorful Fitness Companion

   Anyone looking for a protein powder that tastes great and performs as advertised should consider Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder. You’re sure to enjoy at least one of the many flavors on offer. For me, it’s the Vanilla Ice Cream, which I like to blend with milk and eat with cereal. Regardless of how you take it, though, it dissolves well and yields a creamy texture free of clumps and residues.This protein powder’s potency in promoting muscle growth and recuperation from training is evident. You get high-quality protein with essential amino acids from a blend of whey protein isolates, concentrates, and peptides, all of which helps to increase muscle tone and strength. For frequent users, the 5-pound tubs are probably the most cost-effective way to go, but ON sells its protein powder in smaller sizes if you’re still figuring out which flavor you like best.In my opinion, Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder provides the ideal balance of flavor, effectiveness, and affordability. Overall, it’s a surprisingly tasty way to reach your health and fitness goals, regardless of where you are in the journey.

   6 people found this helpful

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Kane – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   Optimum Nutrition Whey Gold Standard vs. Now Sports Whey Isolate

   Nutritionals are easy since they are clearly stated on the label, but having never tasted a whey supplement before, I didn’t know what to expect taste-wise from a artificially sweetened vs. a more natural product. So I bought two tubs to compare side by side. My selections were the ON Gold Standard Mocha Cappuccino, and the NOW Sports Dutch Chocolate. Here goes a very detailed comparison of the two.* Nutritionals and label:Both pack 120 calories. ON has 24gr of proteins, while NOW has the slightly higher 25gr. Both offer some of the highest protein / calories ratio among the plethora of whey supplements available in the market. I don’t think that 1gr is significant enough to sway anybody’s decision, and the nutrition labels are never 100% accurate anyway. (ON = NOW)ON is a protein blend, while NOW is a whey isolate. However, going back to the nutritionals, it is obvious that the majority of the ON blend is made of whey isolate as well. At the end of the day, and given that they are both whey based, what matters is the protein / calorie ratio. (ON = NOW)Both are made in the USA, which often indicates higher quality control in production. ON however also states that they use “domestic and international ingredients”, and who knows what that means. (ON = NOW)ON is flavored with cocoa, coffee, sucralose, acesulfame potassium and other undisclosed “flavorings”. NOW on the other hand only has cocoa, “natural flavors”, xylitol and stevia. While the latter two are not ideal, NOW at least uses all natural products and definitely has ON beat. In addition, ON has a bunch of enzyme additives, purportedly to ease digestion, but I don’t see why they are needed, and I’d rather do without them. (NOW > ON)Overall: NOW > ON* Mixability:I went with the worst case scenario, and mixed both with about 6 oz of cold water in a glass, and simply hand stirred with a spoon. ON was amazing, it dissolved almost completely as soon as it touched the water, and after a few seconds of stirring it was as smooth as it gets. Mixing NOW was not as easy but still okay; it first had a sticky consistency and required about 30 seconds of rigorous stirring, but the final mixture was as good as ON. If you have a shaker or blender, you will notice absolutely no difference between the two. (ON = NOW)* Aroma:ON powder smells just like any instant hot chocolate mix. When added water, coffee becomes more pronounced, and smells of more like an instant mocha cappuccino mix. Quite pleasant, no artificial or out-of-place aromas.NOW powder smells like very mild milk chocolate, but then a more chemical, sour milk/kefir-like aroma becomes noticeable. It is by no means unpleasant, but you know right away that you are drinking a supplement product. With water the nose of the powder stays pretty much the same.Overall: ON > NOW* Texture in mouth:Both were smooth, but thin, and not oily or thick. Neither one had any hint of graininess. They pretty much kept the mouthfeel of water. (ON = NOW)* Taste:From start to finish ON is sweet. I prefer my tea/coffee/milk/etc completely unsweetened, and I definitely find ON sweet, but not cloyingly so, it is still okay. Just like the nose, the taste is very similar to mocha cappuccino mixes you can buy at your supermarket, and stays fairly one-note from start to finish. The finish fades quickly, leaving no aftertaste. Overall, I find that the artificial flavors of this one are very well crafted. It doesn’t taste any worse than instant cappuccino mixes, and surprisingly you don’t get the familiar acesulfame potassium taste.NOW immediately hits your tongue with a bitter and tannic taste; think a dry over-aged/over-oaked whiskey or wine. My guess is that this is xylitol and stevia playing tricks on my taste buds. However, this bitterness quickly goes away and gives way to… nothing actually. No taste, completely neutral, just like plain water. After you put down your glass and wait a second, the drink finishes with very mild and pleasant flavors of unsweetened cocoa, vanilla, and milk chocolate. The finish lingers for a good 10 minutes, but it tastes like chocolate so no problems there.Overall, although some may find ON overly sweet, I think it still has the edge in taste. It doesn’t have off-notes anywhere, and at its worst, tastes like a cheaply made instant cappuccino mix. NOW is nowhere near undrinkable, in fact it is pretty good as well, but the initial sour smell and the bitter bite on your tongue will remind you that you are taking a supplement. (ON > NOW)* Overall:The differences are minor, you can’t go wrong with either, and they both get 5 stars from me. But I found myself mostly going for NOW simply because it doesn’t have the artificial additives, and while the taste is worse in comparison, it is also sufficiently good. In fact, this experiment encouraged me to try the completely natural unflavored variety of NOW next. I’ll probably stick to NOW in the future, and throw in a tub of some crazy flavor of ON once in a while just to keep myself entertained.

   62 people found this helpful

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Laurence P. – May 26, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   Becareful with some of the flavors!!

   So first, I want to say. I bought only two flavors so far. (Now as a chocolate lover) I know i’m going to be comfortable with chocolate flavoring. So I ordered the Double rich chocolate, and extreme milk chocolate, so far, my favorite is the double rich chocolate. It is a bit difficult to blend in together I usually have to blend it for like a minute in order to get rid of any chunks, and the flavor is actually pretty good! Double rich chocolate dooesn’t have an obnoxious sucralose aftertaste. (unlike the extreme milk chocolate). Definitely get double rich if you do not want to have a nasty over sweet aftertaste. I unfortunately have to give away my Extreme milk chocolate tub because I literally cannot stand the over-sweetened taste of it. It tastes nasty with all the artificial sweetener.So yes, Long story short, if you want a safe chocolate flavor (and HATE the taste of sucralose) go for the Double rich chocolate. I see a lot of reviews confusing Double rich chocolate and extreme milk chocolate together, so hopefully this can get the word out! And please be cautious on which flavor you buy!!! Do not buy a big tub, buy smaller tubs to make sure you like it, rather than have a big tub go to waste!

   One person found this helpful

10. 

    Rated 5 out of 5

    AidaAida – May 26, 2024

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    BEST flavor in the lineup

    The Rocky Road flavor by far is the best flavor out of all the flavors offered by Optimum Nutrition. I have tried double rich chocolate, extreme chocolate and vanilla but all of those have that metallic artificial sweetened taste to it. It was hard to drink with water especially on a cut.On the other hand the rocky road flavor is really good and doesn’t have that metallic taste to it, the flavor tastes original similar to the ice cream and with milk it’s even better. 10/10 would HIGHLY recommend rocky road over all flavors if your not so sure about which to pick.This does keep me full with one scoop to eliminate that craving for food or sweets post workout if you’re looking to cut and get lean.Pros:- Best tasting- Easy to drink with water- No after taste- Tastes like the real dealCons:- Slightly clumpy (Usually all powders have this con)- On the sweeter side- Might make you want more (Tastes like a desert which is a pro for me)

    One person found this helpful