Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Double Rich Chocolate, 5 Pound
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Customer Reviews of Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Double Rich Chocolate, 5 Pound
Customer Review: This Stuff is the 'Whey" to Go
Summary: 5 Stars
What is it? A big jug of protein powder! In fact, you get over 5 lbs!
Okay, you know its protein, and the label says "Whey"- but what exactly is whey? Well, whey, or milk plasma, is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. Most of us know that milk has protein in it, so the stuff in the big black jug here is essentially a milk protein.
So what's the big deal about whey protein? Well, supposedly whey has the ability to be digested quickly, which allows the protein to become available very quickly. Most people use it after workouts to help increase the levels of amino acids in the blood, which are taken up by the muscles to help repair and rebuild them.
As you can tell, people who are physically active are probably going to need this stuff the most. Physical activity normally breaks down the tissues of the body as you use it, and since protein is the building blocks of your tissues, well, lots of physical activity equals higher protein needs. How much more protein athletes need above and beyond sedentary people is a matter of controversy- as is the protein requirements of bodybuilders. However please keep in mind that high protein intake can be hard on your kidneys, because they're the organ that has to deal with this stuff the most, so if you have any kind of kidney issues (i.e. your creatinine is sky high), it'd be best to check with a doc before ingesting huge quantities of protein.
On to the specifics of this particular protein powder. To use it, you simply mix it with water, or any liquid for that matter- then throw it down the hatch. Does it taste good? Well, some people like it and some people don't- me telling you that I like it won't mean much in this case.
Anyway, when all is said and done, this is a decent source of protein for people who don't have time to eat huge chunks of meat, large quantities of eggs, or drink gallons of milk. At 24 grams of protein a serving, this product packs a whallop that can go a long way to help make healthy tissue stronger, or injured tissue healthy. Also recommend Smokin' Hot Guns!!: How an Average Guy Can Get Big, Muscular Arms In One Workout A Week if you're trying to bulk up your arms.
Customer Review: Sodium Content More Than Doubled in New Formulation
Summary: 2 Stars
Until the last jug of this product arrived, I agreed with all of the five star reviews -- but then the company changed the formulation. Here's an e-mail I wrote to the company and their boilerplate response:
"BLEH! I've been happily using your Double Rich Chocolate Gold Standard 100% Whey for years but the last jug I bought is awful! At first, I thought there was a mistake in the manufacturing process, and then I noticed that you more than doubled the amount of sodium in the product -- up 117%. Why? Not only is the flavor bad, but many manufacturers are actually reducing the sodium content of products for health reasons. As you must be aware, Americans consume way too much sodium. Surely it's not in your interest to promote hypertension among your customers. I'll be checking out other products the next time I buy."
"Thank you for choosing ON. Yes, you might have noticed changes in sodium and cholesterol levels on the facts panels of Gold Standard 100% Whey. At this time, the formula has not changed, and macronutrient levels of carbs, protein and fats remain exactly the same. Only levels of sodium and cholesterol have changed - and only because we approved new premium raw ingredient suppliers. Optimum has always made a point of accurately reporting the nutrient profile of all protein powders on facts panels. It's part of our uncompromising commitment to superior quality. Making sure that our valued customers are aware of even these small changes is very important to us.
Best Regards!
Rebecca Johnsen
Consumer Affairs Rep
Optimum Nutrition/American Bodybuilding"
The company failed to address the point of concern. The American Heart Association recommends that Americans consume no more than 1500 mg of sodium daily to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease: Using just three scoops of this product daily would equal fully one-quarter of that amount. (I have a low-sodium diet, but those who aren't may not be put off by the taste of additional sodium. Nonetheless, few Americans will benefit by having additional sodium added to their diet.)
Note that the company website ([...]) has not been updated and still shows 60 mg of sodium per serving of the double rich chocolate variety instead of the actual 130 mg.
Customer Review: Some Good, Some Bad, and But Not Ugly...
Summary: 4 Stars
I like this product. Let me first start by saying that I do not think this is "the BEST" protein product ever. However, I've tried many protein products and this comes rather close.
In my honest opinion, "the BEST" protein product out there would have to be "Profect" by Protica Research. It's actually the stuff used by gastric bypass patients. It's 25 grams of high-absorb protein in only 2.7 fluid oz that literally tastes like fruit candy. But, it's way too expensive and a two-months supply can set you back a couple of hundred bucks easily. Because of this, it's better suited strictly toward its medical purposes.
This product is also not the "most cost-effective". There are plenty of other whey products out there that are much much cheaper and have just as much protein content, but they all pretty much taste like doo doo. What's the point in torturing yourself to save a few bucks? Cost is definitely an important factor, but not the most important.
Apart from all of the hype and apart from all of the hate, I would say that I really do like this product. It tasted a bit gross with just plain water, but when I added it to a cup of enriched soymilk, I couldn't tell the difference between it and a regular kid's chocolate milk shake. That is amazing. And this product did mix pretty well. I usually have problems with that when it comes to powdered shakes and it's always great when you can get a shake that doesn't just sit on the bottom of the cup and cement while everything else just floats to the top. I even added a serving of Benefiber fiber supplement, and it still didn't clump up.
One problem that I have with this product is that it does use artificial sweeteners, but I'll let that slide for now, since I don't intake too many products with them anyway. Still, it is a cause for concern for those you who want to avoid such things in your diet entirely.
Overall, 4 of of 5 stars. I'm pleased but not impressed. This product is definitely one of the superior brands out there but most definitely not a "gold standard". A lot could be done to improve it.
Customer Review: Supplemental Protein
Summary: 5 Stars
Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard line is one of the best-tasting and easily-dissolved protein powders I've tried. It comes in a variety of flavors so there should be something for everyone - but I encourage sampling as not every flavor is right for every person. The nutrition label says it all for this powder; High protein, low-carb and very little fat makes this a perfect supplementary protein source.
Whether you're an amateur lifter, pro body builder, or just an average Joe it is likely that your eating habits are heavily carb-centric. To a lifter or dieter, the addition of supplementary protein to your overall caloric load will help keep you satisfied as well as foster any lean-muscle adaptations (whether you're after endurance, "toning", or size gains) you may be after. Personally, I use this product as a staple in my diet to offset the cost (in both price and preparation time) of my food budget and it is integral to my weight loss and muscle building goals & progress to date.
If you're tired of clumpy tasteless powders, give ON's whey a shot! You'll be glad you did.
Some other consumption ideas:
(note: boiling or very hot water will curdle the whey mixture - not tasty!)
Hot Protein (cocoa)
Instead of hot cocoa mix, I add a scoop of whey and artificial sweetener to 8oz of hot water or coffee (NOT fresh! cool it down)
Oats and Whey
Add a scoop to a prepared bowl of oatmeal for a flavor (and protein!) kick
Oatshake
Combine 1/3 cup oats, 8oz water/milk (or ice cream), 2tbsp peanut butter, and ice. Blend to desired thickness (amount of ice and oats used determines overall texture)
Don't forget - if you aren't dieting scientifically, you aren't dieting! Consult your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise program and read about calories, metabolic rate, and body fat percentage. The body you want is yours with dedication and perseverance!
Customer Review: A Healthy Treat
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently started to become "health conscious" and a friend recommended this product to me. She actually tried to fool me with the unsweetened version (seriously -- not sure how she thought she could get away with that given she was dealing with a major junk food eater), and when she found out I was putting in Equal to help it taste better, she revealed there was an artificially sweetened version.
I love it this product. Sure,it could be a little chocolaty-er (I'd like to think me using a little less skim milk helps with getting more of the flavor) but all in all, with the help of milk & a couple of ice cubes, I've come to view it as a frozen treat that I really look forward to every day. Like a little chocolate shake. Which is really saying something because I don't think there's anything that I love to eat/drink that is healthy for me, other than blueberries.... but I digress.. this stuff is really good. As good as a Haagen Dazs chocolate milkshake? Absolutely not. But for someone trying to shift gears, trying to get away from the dark side of foods...and trying to eat healthier & lose weight, the taste (and a little bit of mind games) can fool me into thinking I'm having a Haagen Dazs shake (ok, maybe a lot of mind games but still -- I view it as my healthy Haagen Dazs shake).
Big clue -- the unsweetened version has the word "natural" in there. I've read complaints about this one having artificial sweeteners -- sure, that should be in the description/review of the product so maybe that's what the complaints are about because if otherwise, the solution is simple -- buy the unsweetened one.
As for me, dare I say a former junk food junkie who has a big sweet tooth -- I'm happy there is something out there that can satisfy my sweet cravings without me having to add anything else (besides the milk & ice of course) and without me having to eat anything else.